Boris tries to befriend the skunk ... But Boris doesn't speak skunk. He can't communicate successfully. Dave and Boris explore friendship and vulnerability, they discuss how true connection is based on honest sharing of needs. In this lesson children will learn how to communicate effectively and with bravery.

Materials Required: pencil and paper

Age Group: Early Elementary/KS1

This lesson cross references the SEL Core Competency: 'Relationship Skills.'

This lesson cross-references with B-SS 8. B-SS 2. from the ASCA Mindset and Behavior Standards.

UK:
RR2: Respectful Relationships - practical steps they can take in a range of different contexts to improve or support respectful relationships.

MW3: Mental Wellbeing - how to recognise and talk about their emotions, including having a varied vocabulary of words to use when talking about their own and others’ feelings.

Biblical Insight:
God tells us this about His friendship with Moses. He says that with most prophets He speaks in dreams or in visions, but with Moses “it is not this way;” He speaks to Moses “clearly” or directly (Numbers 12:7-8). Direct communication is hard! But true friendship, even divine friendship, is built on this type of vulnerable communication. Christian friendship involves sticking to truth - truth about whats happening in the outside world and also truth about happening in our inside worlds. This is why Paul says “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”
Additional Scripture: Zechariah 8:16