The+Worst+Best+Friend

· Book: The Worst Best Friend by Alexis O’Neil · Cut out die cut flowers (with each student’s name written on the flower) · Large piece of construction paper · Gift bag for the die cut flowers
 * The Worst Best Friend Lesson** **K-3rd** **Grade**
 * Submitted/Created By: Pam Christianson, Elementary Counselor**
 * Lesson:** **Friendship Lesson**
 * Standard(s): 4B**
 * Materials:**
 * Time: 45 minutes**
 * Goals: Students will understand the qualities of being a good friend.**
 * Description of Lesson/Steps:**
 * 1) **Introduction of Lesson:** Ask students what it means to have a best friend. Get ideas from students. Ask them if they have a best friend. If time allows go around to each students and have them share who their best friend is. Explain that a best friend is someone special. Someone you can count on etc. Show students the bag and let them know they will find out what’s inside when the story and discussion is done. This is a little teaser and keeps them really interested in the lesson.
 * 2) **Read The Worst Best Friend by Alexis O’Neil.** Give them an overview about the book before reading it. Explain that Connor and Mike used to be best friends until a new boy came to school. I usually give them an example about a friendship problem that I had when I was their age. Then go through the book. I have them act out the feelings, or practice the friendship greeting ALONE J. Then we talk about the book. Just read it the way you want to…it’s a great read aloud book.
 * 3) **Brainstorm and write up words that describe good friends.** Write up the words on a white board or flip chart paper. You will use these words for the next part of the lesson. Words might include: nice, funny, helpful, caring, silly, fun, respectful, kind etc.
 * 4) **Surprise Bag:** I let students know that I have a surprise in the bag. I have cut out flowers from the die cut with names of all the students written on them. Each student picks a name out of the bag. No peeking. They are to write a word that best describes that person on the flower. They can decorate it with crayons etc. After they are done, tape the flowers on a large piece of construction paper and hang in the class. I let them know that it is almost Spring, and that we need to let our friendships grow and bloom like flowers. I connect the flowers to a hand drawn or die cut flower pot and label the pot with the words “Friendship Garden”. If time allows have each child come up and read off the flower they made for their special friend.
 * 5) **Closing:** Have them pair up and do the friendship greeting from the book. It goes: high five, high five, knuckle, knuckle, shoulder touch, shoulder touch, knee slap, stomp, stomp, snap fingers.
 * Assessment:** Students are able to identify friendship qualities in a classmate. **They are able to share that friendship quality to the person.**