Healthy Relationships

Learning Objectives

• Curriculum Area: PSHE - Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
• Level: Year 6, Key Stage 2
• Understand the qualities of a healthy friendship and relationship.
• Know how to recognise signs of negative behaviour in relationships.
• Develop strategies to promote and maintain positive relationships.

Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

• Teacher's Note: Welcoming and settling the students.
• Discussion Prompt: "What is a healthy relationship? Can anyone give an example?"
• Learning Intentions: Explain the purpose of today’s lesson.

Main Activity (30 minutes)

Part 1: Characteristics of a Healthy Relationship (15 minutes)

• Group Activity:

  • Materials Needed: Chart paper, markers.
  • Instructions: Divide students into small groups and ask them to list characteristics of a healthy relationship on chart paper.
  • Examples of Characteristics: Trust, respect, communication, support.

• Class Discussion:

  • Highlight Key Points: Discuss each group's findings and summarise common characteristics on the whiteboard.

Part 2: Recognising Unhealthy Behaviour (15 minutes)

• Role-Playing Exercise:

  • Instructions: In pairs, students will act out scenarios demonstrating both healthy and unhealthy behaviours in friendships (e.g., encouraging vs. bullying).
  • Scenes to Enact:
    • A friend supporting another who is nervous about a test.
    • A friend pressuring another to do something they’re uncomfortable with.

• Reflection:

  • Guiding Questions: "How did you feel while acting out each scenario?", "What behaviours in the unhealthy relationship scenes made you uncomfortable?", "What could be done differently?"

Break (5 minutes)

• Relaxation Time: A quick stretch or breathing exercise to refocus.

Closing Activity (15 minutes)

• Personal Reflection:

  • Instructions: Students return to their seats and individually complete a reflection sheet on what they learned about healthy and unhealthy relationships.
  • Template for Reflection Sheet:
    • What are three characteristics of a healthy relationship?
    • Describe a situation where you have seen a healthy relationship.
    • What will you do to maintain healthy relationships in your life?

• Sharing Insights:

  • Partner Discussion: Pair up and share their reflections.
  • Class Discussion: Volunteers share their thoughts with the class.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Review Key Points: Summarise the discussion and key takeaways.
• Homework Assignment: "Write a letter to a friend explaining what qualities make your friendship strong."
• Teacher’s Note: Ensure to check in with students who may feel affected by the topic.

Assessment

• Formative Assessment: Participation in discussions, quality of group activity contributions, and reflection sheet insights.

Resources Needed

• Chart paper
• Markers
• Reflection sheets
• Whiteboard and markers

Differentiation

• Supporting Strategies:
  • Pairing students thoughtfully for role play.
  • Providing additional support for students who might struggle with writing tasks.
• Extension Activities:
  • Students who finish early can create a poster that represents healthy relationships and can be displayed in the classroom.

Teacher's Reflection (Post Lesson)

• What Worked Well:
  • Engagement during role-playing activities.
• What Could Be Improved:
  • Ensure discussions are balanced and all voices are heard.
• Next Steps:
  • Plan upcoming lessons to further explore problem-solving within friendships and conflict resolution.