Grades 5-6: Week One

I Lost a Friend

This week’s set of learning experiences focuses on social belonging, decision-making, and how we can connect with a friend by thinking about them and communicating with them some positive thoughts and messages, even if we cannot be with them in person.

I Lost A Friend | Day 1

Watch the video introduction and lesson by David Levine, Director of the Teaching Empathy Institute.

I Lost A Friend | Day 2

I Lost a Friend

This is a story about two life-long friends who had a falling out after they moved up to middle school.

Part 1. Listen to the story

Part 2. After listening please answer the following questions:

How would you describe the perfect elementary school friend?
How would you describe the perfect middle school friend? How are they the same? How are they different?
What makes it difficult sometimes for friends from elementary school to maintain their friendship through middle school and beyond?

I Lost A Friend | Day 3

Reflective Writing

Describe a close friend from elementary school. Are you still close with them? Why or why not?

I Lost A Friend | Day 4

Listen to the song I Lost a Friend.

After listening, answer the following questions:

How could two friends save a friendship if they started to grow apart?
Have you ever been in a new situation where you found yourself drifting away from an old friendship? How did you handle that?

I Lost A Friend | Day 5

Reflective writing:

Write a letter from Jessie to Sam. Explain why you want to hang out with your new friends. Alternatively, write a letter from Sam to Jessie, explaining how you feel about being left out of her new social group. If time allows, write a response from one to the other.