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My Best Friend Is Moving
Everyone dreads hearing,
“My best friend is moving.”
“My best friend is moving.”
The concept of a friend leaving can be
really tough for our little ones to handle. For the most part, they don’t understand
why their friends or leaving or how to handle the emotions that accompany the
loss of a good friend. My kids are too young to be able to text, email or stay
connect via social media. A friend moving feels so permanent and confusing.
really tough for our little ones to handle. For the most part, they don’t understand
why their friends or leaving or how to handle the emotions that accompany the
loss of a good friend. My kids are too young to be able to text, email or stay
connect via social media. A friend moving feels so permanent and confusing.
Friends
are a big deal to our little ones, we know it can be hard for them to cope with
the change of their friend switching schools. I experienced the intense
emotions that come with the statement, “I’m moving” first hand when one of my
favorite little girls broke the news to her bestie that she was moving out of
state the following week.
are a big deal to our little ones, we know it can be hard for them to cope with
the change of their friend switching schools. I experienced the intense
emotions that come with the statement, “I’m moving” first hand when one of my
favorite little girls broke the news to her bestie that she was moving out of
state the following week.
I watched the two emotional
little girls cry and hold each other as they shared memories of how much their
friendship meant to one another. It was truly heart breaking watching the
out pour of raw emotion.
little girls cry and hold each other as they shared memories of how much their
friendship meant to one another. It was truly heart breaking watching the
out pour of raw emotion.
To help ease the pain, I
designed the “My Best Friend is Moving, BFF Memory Book.” This is a
fun activity that the two besties did together before the big move to reflect
on all the fun times they had together during their friendship. I wanted to put
the focus on how much fun they had together while allowing them to create
something that they both could keep. I figured it would help them process their
emotions in a somewhat fun way (as much fun as you can have knowing your friend
is leaving).
designed the “My Best Friend is Moving, BFF Memory Book.” This is a
fun activity that the two besties did together before the big move to reflect
on all the fun times they had together during their friendship. I wanted to put
the focus on how much fun they had together while allowing them to create
something that they both could keep. I figured it would help them process their
emotions in a somewhat fun way (as much fun as you can have knowing your friend
is leaving).
The Memory Books were easy to
make. Using double side printing, I made one copy of Book A and one copy of
Book B and then stapled along the left hand side to bind the pages like a book.
make. Using double side printing, I made one copy of Book A and one copy of
Book B and then stapled along the left hand side to bind the pages like a book.
I then
gave each student a Memory Book, one received Book A and the other Book B, the labels
are in the bottom right hand cover of the book so it is easy to keep them
straight.
gave each student a Memory Book, one received Book A and the other Book B, the labels
are in the bottom right hand cover of the book so it is easy to keep them
straight.
The students then
worked together to complete both books. There are questions on each page directed
specifically towards Friend A or Friend B. For example, in Friend B’s Book it
would say, “Friend A, what impact did your friend have on you?” Friend B would
pass their book over and Friend A would answer this question.
worked together to complete both books. There are questions on each page directed
specifically towards Friend A or Friend B. For example, in Friend B’s Book it
would say, “Friend A, what impact did your friend have on you?” Friend B would
pass their book over and Friend A would answer this question.
Students have to pay special
attention to who is being asked to answer the question. If it asks for friend
A, friend A completes that page. If it asks for friend B, friend B completes
the page.
attention to who is being asked to answer the question. If it asks for friend
A, friend A completes that page. If it asks for friend B, friend B completes
the page.
This means
that even though each of the two books belongs to a specific student, they will
both be sharing the activities inside both books.
that even though each of the two books belongs to a specific student, they will
both be sharing the activities inside both books.
In the end, they will
have two completed books filled with their memories together. Each of them can
keep one book forever to look back at all the fun they had together. It may sound a bit confusing, but it is really
easy when it is in action.
have two completed books filled with their memories together. Each of them can
keep one book forever to look back at all the fun they had together. It may sound a bit confusing, but it is really
easy when it is in action.
It is fun watching them pass
the books back and forth and reading all the sweet notes they wrote to each
other.
the books back and forth and reading all the sweet notes they wrote to each
other.
I’ve also thought about using
this activity as a whole class activity with fifth graders who may be going to
different middle schools. I would have them complete it with their shoulder
partners. That way everyone (in theory) ends the year with a memory book that
makes them feel great about themselves.
this activity as a whole class activity with fifth graders who may be going to
different middle schools. I would have them complete it with their shoulder
partners. That way everyone (in theory) ends the year with a memory book that
makes them feel great about themselves.
There is also a “My Friend
Moved Memory Book” for use with students whose friend moved
unexpectedly.
Moved Memory Book” for use with students whose friend moved
unexpectedly.
If you
decide to use this resource too, I hope it eases your student’s pain and helps
preserve the beauty of their friendship.
decide to use this resource too, I hope it eases your student’s pain and helps
preserve the beauty of their friendship.
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Hi, I'm Ashley!
I am a school counselor who helps educators to change the lives of students with engaging, creative, and meaningful SEL resources.
