This comprehensive ESL discussion lesson plan will help you engage teenagers through in-depth conversations on friendship. Use the exercises to guide students through the “maze of teenage friendship” and help them apply new knowledge through writing and vocabulary practice. Browse the rest of our FREE RESOURCES for more tools to keep you company on your teaching journey!
Navigating the Beautiful Maze of Teenage Friendship
Recommended ages: 13-20
Warmup
Directions: Find definitions for each vocabulary word. In the space provided, rewrite each definition in your own words.
- Constellations
- Tumultuous
- Adolescents
- Crucial
- Validation
- Hurdles
- Tapestry
Let’s Make Predictions!
Directions: Read the lesson title and consider the following questions.
- Based on the title, what ideas might be discussed in the text?
- What is a maze?
- How can teenage friendship be a maze?
Read and Annotate
Directions: Read and annotate the text. Highlighting important ideas. Draw boxes around unfamiliar words, find their definitions, and write them in the margins.
Teenage friendships are like constellations in the night sky—bright, intricate, and ever-evolving. These relationships hold a special place in the hearts of adolescents as they embark on a journey of self-discovery and social growth. While the teenage years can be tumultuous, the bonds formed during this time can be some of the most enduring and meaningful connections in one’s life.
One of the defining features of teenage friendships is their intensity. Adolescents often form deep emotional attachments to their friends, sharing secrets, dreams, and fears. These friendships serve as a crucial support system during the ups and downs of adolescence, offering a safe space to confide in and seek advice from peers who are experiencing similar challenges.
Teenage friendships also play a pivotal role in shaping one’s identity. Friends influence each other’s choices, interests, and values, contributing to personal growth and self-awareness. Through these relationships, teenagers learn important social skills such as empathy, communication, and conflict resolution, which are invaluable life skills.
Moreover, teenage friendships foster a sense of belonging. Adolescents are naturally inclined to seek validation and acceptance from their peers, and close friendships provide the affirmation they crave. These connections create a buffer against the isolation that can sometimes accompany adolescence, helping teens build self-esteem and resilience.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that teenage friendships can also be marked by challenges and complexities. Adolescents are navigating a period of self-discovery, which can lead to conflicts and shifting dynamics within friend groups. Peer pressure, jealousy, and misunderstandings are common hurdles that teenagers must learn to navigate.
As teenagers grow and mature, the nature of their friendships may evolve as well. Some friendships endure for a lifetime, while others may fade as individuals embark on different paths. It’s essential for teenagers to understand that change is a natural part of life and not necessarily a reflection of the value of the friendship.
In conclusion, teenage friendships are a beautiful tapestry of connection, growth, and self-discovery. They offer emotional support, help shape one’s identity, and provide a sense of belonging. While they come with challenges and changes, the bonds formed during adolescence can be some of the most cherished and enduring relationships in a person’s life. As teenagers navigate the maze of friendship, they learn valuable lessons about empathy, communication, and the profound impact of human connections.
Review and Discuss
- Which qualities do you look for in a friend?
- What is the most tumultuous part of being a teenager? Why?
- Describe a time when you have felt peer pressure.
- Describe how teenage friendships “play a pivotal role in shaping one’s identity.”
- How have friends influenced your personality, interests, or beliefs.
- Do you believe the saying “you are the company you keep?” Why or why not?
- Discuss factors which contribute to friendships that last a lifetime.
- Is it okay to let go of friends? When?
- Discuss hurdles or “dealbreakers” which cause friendships to fall apart.
- Do you believe you should “keep your friends close and your enemies closer?”
Build Your Vocabulary
Directions: Complete each sentence by filling in the blanks with the appropriate word from the word bank.
Word bank
| Constellations | Tumultuous | Adolescents | Crucial |
| Validation | Hurdles | Tapestry |
- The community center offers a variety of programs and activities to engage and support ____________________in their personal development.
- The ____________________waves crashed against the rocky shore, creating a mesmerizing and chaotic display of nature’s power.
- The mural on the library wall was a beautiful ____________________of colors and shapes, depicting the history and culture of the local community.
- Proper time management is ____________________for students to balance their studies and extracurricular activities effectively.
- Despite facing numerous ____________________, he remained determined and eventually achieved his goal of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
- Receiving positive feedback from her peers was a great source of ____________________for her efforts in the project.
- On a clear, moonless night, I gazed up at the night sky and marveled at the beauty of the Orion ____________________.
Create Meaning through Writing
Directions: Respond to the following questions using complete sentences.
- Write a journal entry describing what friendship means to you.
- Write an argument explaining why age is or is not an important factor in maintaining a close friendship.
- Write a persuasive letter asking a friend to change their mind about an important issue.
- Compare and contrast the qualities of good and bad friends.
- Write a personal narrative about a time you felt peer pressure. Include all five elements of plot (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).
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