Bulletin boards are easy, creative ways to explain a friendship theme. Create a board puzzle from a large piece of construction paper. Put each child's name on a piece, and then paste the pieces together on the bulletin board, fitting the whole together. Title the board, "We Fit Together."
Alert incoming pupils or visitors to the friendship theme even before they enter the classroom. Give students each a paper key, and ask them to write down the qualities of a good friend. Some examples could be "trustworthy," "honest" and "fun to be around." Tape the keys on the entry door, near the keyhole. At the top of the door, tape the words, "Unlock a Friend Today."
Learn about each other with a circle activity, as everyone stands, poised to pass a soft ball. Gently toss the ball to one student, and say, "Hi. I'm Mrs. Smith, and I like chocolate. What's your name?" The recipient catches and answers, "Hi, Mrs. Smith. I'm Shaun." Play continues as every child shares personal info about something he likes. For a second round, people tell their favorite colors or how many people are in their families. When finished, review what new things they learned about their classmates.
Allow children to see the importance of working with friends and classmates. Draw the outline of a large fish on white construction paper. Give each child a small, colored, construction-paper triangle and ask him to either write his name or the characteristics of a good friend. When they finish, they paste the triangles in a scale pattern on the friendship fish. Focus on the need to use all the scales to cover and decorate the fish.