The National Center for Quality Afterschool

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Afterschool Lesson Plan Database

Lesson Plan

Friendship Bracelets
Subject: Technology
Grade span: 2 to 5
Duration: 5-6 sessions, 45 to 60 minutes each
This lesson was excerpted from the Afterschool Training Toolkit under the promising practice: Finding and Solving Problems

Description:

In this lesson, individuals in an odd-numbered group of students are asked to pair up and create "friendship bracelets" for one another. Because one student is left without a partner, a solution to this dilemma must be found so that everyone can participate equally. Using visual learning software programs, such as Inspiration or Kidspiration, students determine that a circular pattern provides a solution to the problem. In addition to problem- solving, this activity offers an opportunity for students to learn more about each other.

Learning Goals:

Materials:

Preparation:

Instructors should determine students' computer skill levels and select appropriate technology tools. Instructors should also have familiarity with any software or equipment used in the lesson, or enlist the help of a volunteer who does.

What to Do:

Engage students by talking about friendship bracelets. Begin the activity.

Important: This activity works only with an odd number of students. If you have an even number of students, invite another student to participate, or participate yourself.

Find and explain the solution. Possible Solutions
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Make the bracelets.

Note: This arrangement, whereby students may be making bracelets for partners they do not know, may not be what students desire. However, an important point of this activity is to meet someone new and learn something about them.

Write about the activity.

Teaching Tips:

For more information and ideas to support this lesson, see the Resources page.

Evaluate (Outcomes to look for):

Standards:
Click this link to see additional learning goals, grade-level benchmarks, and standards covered in this lesson.

Learn More:

Explore other types of bracelets and types of materials. For example, find out more about Lance Armstrong's "LiveStrong" bracelet.
Online Training for Afterschool Staff
The Afterschool Training Toolkit is available online free of charge.

The following resources can be used with the online Afterschool Training Toolkit to give you the resources you need to build fun, innovative, and academically enriching afterschool activities.