Making Things Right wellbeing lesson plan
A primary wellbeing lesson for Foundation students that helps Australian teachers introduce simple, practical ways to resolve arguments through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students learn to recognise when a disagreement has happened, understand what fair and respectful behaviour looks like, and practise ways to repair a friendship after an argument.
Healthy Relationships & Communication
Snapshot
Making Things Right
The lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce argument resolution and friendship repair using simple, age-appropriate language.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Resolving arguments and repairing friendships
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What students will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
Recognise when an argument or disagreement has happened between friends.
Identify feelings such as frustration, sadness or embarrassment that can follow an argument.
Recognise that everyone makes mistakes in friendships from time to time.
Understand
Understand that fair and respectful behaviour helps friendships stay strong.
Understand that making things right often involves listening and speaking honestly.
Practise
Practise simple phrases for saying sorry or explaining how they feel.
Practise listening to a friend's point of view during a disagreement.
Show a safe way to check in with a friend after an argument.
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for Foundation students who are beginning to learn about friendships, fairness and simple conflict resolution.
It is suitable for:
primary wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care, circle time or advisory sessions
class culture and friendship skill building
respectful relationships programmes
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, student maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Building classroom culture Use when establishing shared expectations around fairness and respectful disagreement.
Introducing friendship skills Use when students are learning early language for handling disagreements calmly.
Reinforcing respectful communication Use when revisiting how to listen, take turns talking and use kind words during a disagreement.
Supporting inclusion Use when students need practice including a friend again after a disagreement.
Practising safe responses Use when students are learning how to respond to conflict without arguing back or staying upset.
Preparing for transition Use when peer groups are changing and students need practical tools for new friendships.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Students need simple, usable language for working through disagreements before small conflicts affect how safe or included they feel in the classroom. Learning to make things right is not only about apologising. It is also about noticing when a friendship needs repair, listening to another point of view and choosing fair, respectful ways to move forward. This lesson supports a calmer classroom culture by helping students understand that friendships can recover after a disagreement, and that resolving conflict is a skill they can practise, not something to avoid.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Self awareness Students notice their own feelings during a disagreement.
Empathy Students consider how an argument might make a friend feel.
Communication Students practise explaining their point of view calmly.
Conflict resolution Students learn simple steps for working through a disagreement.
Relationship repair Students practise checking in with a friend after an argument.
Fairness Students reflect on what fair behaviour looks like in a friendship.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Remind students not to name classmates or share stories about other people
Frame the discussion around general examples and scenarios, not personal accusations
Make clear that the lesson is about learning fair ways to resolve arguments, not assigning blame
Identify trusted adults students can speak to if a friendship issue feels hard to manage
During delivery
Use simple examples such as disagreeing over a game or feeling left out
Give students time to practise phrases aloud, such as explaining how they feel or saying sorry
Reinforce that resolving an argument does not mean one person is always right
Allow students to respond through discussion, drawing or partner talk depending on confidence and maturity
Supporting safe discussion
Encourage respectful listening when a partner or group is speaking
Remind students that seeking support from a trusted adult is a sensible choice, not a last resort
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe
Adaptation options
Use partner talk or role-play for confident groups
Use drawing or simple sentence starters for quieter groups
Spend more time on trusted adults if students need support identifying who to ask for help
