July 30 is International Day of Friendship. On this day, the United Nations attempts to bring people together and battle against division through friendship. The 2022 theme is: Sharing the human spirit through friendship. The human spirit is one of camaraderie and trust. Through friendship, we can cultivate this spirit and promote it across the globe. But what makes a good friend? What are key characteristics to look for in a friend? Our chapter slice “Friendships, Communication & Problem Solving” from our Daily Social & Workplace Skills resource highlights these characteristics.
Friends are people you like. They’re people you spend time with. They’re people you have interests in common with. They’re people you trust. There are different types of friends too.
How do you choose a friend? First, you should look for someone you share interests with. This can be hobbies, likes, and even dislikes. A friend should also be someone you like spending time with.
What to look for in a friend: loyal, caring, reliable, trustworthy.
Friends have good communication skills. This is when you give and take information. We communicate by talking and listening to each other.
Social Tip: Show good manners when communicating. Don’t interrupt, pay attention, don’t be critical, give good advice, and be positive.
1. Aubrey is someone on your softball team. You see her 3 times a week for practice and games. Every once in a while, you make plans to see a movie together. What type of friend is this?
a) Acquaintance
b) Casual
c) Close
2. Wyatt is someone you’ve known since kindergarten. You’ve been in the same class together for years. You always spend recess together. You see each other every weekend. What type of friend is this?
a) Acquaintance
b) Casual
c) Close
3. Jayden is someone you work with. You talk a bit in the lunchroom. You also like to have conversations during breaks. You don’t see each other outside of work. What type of friend is this?
a) Acquaintance
b) Casual
c) Close
Answer: 1. Casual 2. Close 3. Acquaintance
This is an example taken from a reading passage page. These pages present important grade-appropriate information and concepts related to the topic. The bottom activity tests student comprehension of the reading above it. Using what they have learned, students determine if a person being introduced in each scenario is an acquaintance, casual, or close friend. Also included in every resource are Before You Read and After You Read worksheets. These are used to test student knowledge and comprehension of the content provided. This chapter slice is available in PDF eBook format and Google Slides format. Download this free color mini poster to extend students’ investigation into friendship by displaying an infographic on the characteristics that make up a friend.