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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain how friends can be different and how to value their unique qualities.

      Key learning points

      1. Friends can look different and have different interests.
      2. Unique qualities make each friend special.
      3. Appreciating and celebrating differences makes friendships stronger.
      4. By celebrating our friends' unique qualities we can make them feel valued and loved.

      Keywords

      • Friend - someone who cares for you, helps you and makes you feel happy

      • Different - not the same as something else

      • Unique - being one of a kind or different from others

      Common misconception

      Friends should be the same as us.

      Differences make friendships interesting and valuable.

      Teacher tip

      Take time to celebrate some of the cultures you have within your school community. Talk about how learning about other cultures can be exciting, fun and fascinating.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of these are emotions?

      eating and sleeping
      running and swimming
      Correct answer: happiness and sadness

      Q2.
      Which of these is a kind thing a friend might do?

      shout
      Correct answer: share toys
      Correct answer: take turns
      be mean

      Q3.
      What does a good listener not do?

      look when someone is talking
      take turns to speak
      listen carefully
      Correct answer: talk all the time

      Q4.
      Which friend listens to you and stops what they’re doing if you say no?

      Correct answer: a good friend
      a bad friend
      a mean friend

      Q5.
      Everyone is the same. True or false?

      Correct Answer: False, F, Incorrect, Not true, No

      Q6.
      Which word means to hear and try to understand what someone is saying?

      Correct Answer: listen, to listen, listening

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What makes each friend special?

      their colourful clothes
      their new toys
      Correct answer: their unique qualities

      Q2.
      What should you do with a friend's unique qualities?

      Correct answer: appreciate and celebrate them
      change them
      ignore them

      Q3.
      Friends ...

      always wear the same clothes, eat the same foods and have the same interests.
      are always in the same class and have the same birthday.
      Correct answer: can have different interests and qualities and look different.

      Q4.
      Put the story of the lion and the mouse into the correct order.

      1 - One day, a lion caught a mouse, but decided to let him go.
      2 - The mouse said he would help the lion in return but the lion didn't believe him.
      3 - Later, the lion got trapped in a hunter’s net and roared for help.
      4 - The mouse used his teeth to chew through the ropes and set the lion free.
      5 - The lion smiled and learned that even the smallest friend can be a big help!

      Q5.
      Which word means being one of a kind or different from others?

      Correct Answer: unique, special

      Q6.
      How can you celebrate a friend's unique qualities?

      Correct answer: do something they love
      Correct answer: work together as a team
      never tell them
      only give them a card if they give you one first

      To help you plan your 1 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Friends can be different, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...