Building Friendships: A Kindergarten Lesson Plan

Introduction – Storytime on Friendship (5 minutes)

Total Time: 5 minutes

Gather students in a circle and read a short, engaging picture book that emphasizes the theme of friendship (e.g., "The Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister). Pause periodically to ask open-ended questions such as "What makes someone a good friend?" or "How do we show kindness to our friends?" to activate prior knowledge and encourage interaction.

Core Activity – Friendship Wristband Creation (10 minutes)

Total Time: 10 minutes

After the story, transition to a hands-on activity where each student creates a simple friendship wristband using colorful yarn and beads. Provide enough materials so that students can choose their favorite colors. As they work, encourage them to share ideas about what friendship means to them. Teachers and aides circulate to support, and students can help each other, fostering teamwork and cooperation.

Assessment – Sharing Circle (5 minutes)

Total Time: 5 minutes

Conclude the lesson with a sharing circle where students can present their wristbands. Each child shares one word or sentence about what friendship means to them while showing their creation. This will help reinforce their understanding and build communication skills.