Trustworthy Friends
Reliable and trustworthy friends can help us achieve things that feel impossible. It’s important to know the traits of a trustworthy friend so we can choose good friends and be one.
Grade Level: K-5
Character Skills
- Trustworthiness
SEL Skills
- Self-Awareness
- Relationship Skills
Academic Skills
- Effective Problem-Solving
Definitions
Trustworthiness
- Be honest. Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal.
- Have integrity. Do what you say you’ll do.
- Keep your promises.
- Be loyal. Stand by your values.
Self-Awareness
Identify and understand emotions, values, attitudes, motivations, mindsets, and personal attributes.
Social-Awareness
Assess the feelings of others and be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others.
Relationship Skills
Create positive relationships and meaningful connections with family members, classmates, and teachers.
Effective Problem-Solving
Make rational, ethical, and effective decisions to find the best solutions to problems.
Share This Activity
After participating in an activity that requires trusting a partner, students will share the elements of a trustworthy friendship and reflect on how trust is important in their own relationships.
Instructions
- Divide students into pairs.
- Partners sit facing each other with the soles of their shoes pressed against their partner’s shoes.
- Ask students to reach out and grab their partner’s hands.
- Ask students to pull their partner’s hands. As they pull at the same time, they should try to pull each other into a standing position.
- Have participants try this activity with a new partner (start with similar-size partners and then try varied-size partners).
Discussion Prompts
- Why were you able to stand when you pulled each other’s hands?
- What would happen if only one person pulled?
- What kind of changes did you need to make if your partner was taller or shorter than you?
- You relied on your partner to stand. What happens when you cannot rely on a friend?
- What other ways can you show the you are a trustworthy friend?
- Why is it important to have trustworthy friends?
