-NiE ,
ADVANCED
WE are all social beings. We like being with people we are comfortable with. Friendships help us to grow and learn more about ourselves, how we think and how we feel. That is why it is so important for all of us to pick our friends carefully. But sometimes, we can also feel trapped in a social group or feel shunned by another.
Activity 1 Critical thinking ● Measure
● Reason
● Organise
Study the following questions. Then, write your opinions in the second column. When the class is done with the activity, your teacher will moderate the class discussion based on these questions. Share your opinions freely.
Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Brainstorm
11
Being a good
The right friends
● Identify
5 APRIL 2017
● Connect
Once the class discussion is over, go through the 10 questions once again. Now answer the questions in the third column. When you are done, compare your answers before and after the discussion. Have any of your opinions changed?
Opinion BEFORE class discussion
Question
Opinion AFTER class discussion
1. What qualities do you look for in a friend? Problem solving ● Question
2. Are friends more important to you now than they were in primary school? Why? 3. There’s an old saying that goes: “In order to have good friends, you have to be a good friend.” What does that mean? Do you think it’s true?
● Present
Communicating ● Oral ● Written
4. How do you tell the difference between true friends and false friends?
● Aural
5. What is a “best friend”? Is it possible to have more than one “best friend” at the same time? 6. In what ways does friendship change, as you get older?
Collaborating ● Listen ● Contribute respectfully
7. Is something wrong with you if you aren’t part of the “popular” group in school?
● Compromise
8. What do you do if you want a person you have just met to be part of your group, but others don’t want to include this new person? 9. Are there any racial or ethnic barriers to friendship in your school? How do you feel about that? 10. What are the benefits of having friends who are different from us?
NiE Activity 1
True friends don’t expect anything in return for your friendship. They like you for who you are and they expect the same in return. Friendships can have a major impact on our health and well-being. It is not always easy to build or maintain friendships.
Critical thinking ● Identify
How do I get her to fall for me?
● Organise
I met Z online. She is the same age as me. We had many things in common, and often chatted for hours. I fell for her. We admitted that we had feelings for each other but did not want to dive into a relationship too soon. Then one day, Z told me about her boyfriend, and that she had strong feelings for him, so she chose him over me. I respected her decision and thought maybe I should move on. We stopped talking for a week. Then the following week, Z messaged me, and we chatted like old friends again. One day out of curiosity, I asked Z about her boyfriend. It turned out that he was overseas. She promised me that when her boyfriend returned home, she would
● Reason
Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Brainstorm
● Connect ● Invent
Problem solving ● Question ● Research
● Recreate ● Present
Communicating
A.
still find time for me. But as time went by, she distanced herself from me. Then her good friend told me that Z’s boyfriend wasn’t interested in her anymore. I contacted Z and she was very happy to see me again. It renewed my hopes. A few months have passed and all my attempts to get Z to like me didn’t work. Now she’s ignoring me and does not even respond to my text messages. Meanwhile, I am suffering from depression and anxiety. I’m tired and sleepy most of the time. I eat a lot and have gained so much weight. I am experiencing health problems such as stomach pain, blood in my stool, chest pain, lightheadedness, and an outbreak of acne. Sometimes I cry myself to sleep. Broken Heart
As a class, break up into six groups. Three groups will look at Z’s dilemma, while the other three will look at Broken Heart’s. Discuss how each is being a good or bad friend. Things Z does that shows she’s a… good friend
bad friend
Things Broken Heart does that shows he’s a… good friend
bad friend
● Oral ● Written ● Non-verbal ● Aural
Collaborating ● Listen ● Contribute respectfully
● Compromise ● Attain goal
Write a letter advising Broken Heart on his move. Show empathy. Use positive points from your discussion in Activity 1 and NiE Activity 1A, and include them in your reply.
B.