Content Area: Health and Physical Education

 

Index: 2.4A Grade 4 CPI 6

 

Standard: 2.4 - Human Relationships & Sexuality

 

Strand: A - Relationship

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator:  6 -  The student will describe the characteristics of a friend.

 

Grade: 4

 

Sample Activities:

 

·        QUALITIES OF A FRIEND - Part of growing up is choosing friends. Ask students to think about people who are their friends. Ask: “How many chose at least one person in this room? How many chose at least one person who does not live in this community? Did anyone choose a person who lives in another country? Did anyone choose a person much younger or older than yourself?” Student volunteers describe how they feel when they are with a friend. Students brainstorm the qualities of a friend and write them on the board. Using the students’ ideas, develop a friendship checklist (such as the one below) and have students complete it. Discuss the qualities noted.

 

 

     Variation: Divide the class into three groups. Give each group a different scenario that describes a relationship between students (see sample below). Students answer the following question about the characters in their scenario: “Do you think the character in the story is a good friend? Why or why not” Groups analyze the character’s behavior and offer suggestions to improve the relationship.

 

SAMPLE SITUATIONS: FRIENDSHIP
-        Jill and Marty are playing on the swings. Alice calls Jill aside and tells her a secret. Jill and Alice laugh and then leave without saying anything to Marty.
-        Aron invites Byron to a family campout. At the last minute, Byron calls and says he is going to a birthday party instead.
-        Everyone always teases Suzy about her bright, red hair. One day when Suzy is really depressed, Andrea introduces her to her mom—who has the same shade of red hair as Suzy!

 

       Variation: Students write a personal ad for a friend or create an ad promoting their own positive friendship qualities.