INFLUENCES – Friends

QUEST 6: Good friend, bad friend

Teacher notes

Curriculum links: PSHE, Literacy Zone relevance: Influences

Description: Students will read through descriptions of different characters from Star Wars, to decide if their actions show them being a good friend or a bad friend. It is important for students to understand the qualities that make a good friend and what positive elements make up a healthy relationship. Class discussion on what makes a friend good or bad is encouraged during the activity and the wrap up questions.

Background: Friends are people we enjoy spending time with, either one-on-one or in a group, and with whom we share values, preferences, objectives and a worldview. Students learn the characteristics of healthy relationships. They learn that the development and maintenance of effective relationships requires the communication skills of listening, expressing needs and emotions and providing feedback. Concern for the welfare of others, not only self, is an important aspect of healthy relationships.

Activity 1: a. Ask students to read the descriptions of the Star Wars characters on their Student worksheets. b. Students should then decide if the description is of a good or a bad friend and explain why they have concluded this.

Activity 2: In their workbooks, ask students to list some of the common characteristics, from the Star Wars scenarios they have looked at and from their own life, of a good friend.

Activity 3: As a class you can then discuss: • How the characteristics of being a good friend contributes to a healthy relationship. • Strategies you can use to deal with an unhealthy relationship or a bad friend. • Examples of times when they have been a good and a bad friend?

© 2016 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

EDUCATOR’S RESOURCE GUIDE 5 • Student worksheet 1 Read the descriptions below and decide whether these Star Wars characters can be seen as a good or a bad friend. Give an explanation for each answer.

Character: Lando Calrissian

In The Empire Strikes Back, Lando welcomes his old friend Han Solo and his rebel group to his city in the clouds. While on Bespin, Lando allows Hans Solo and his group to be captured by Darth Vader, so that Darth Vader will leave his city alone.

Does this make Lando a good Why do you think this? friend or a bad friend?

Character: Han Solo

In A New Hope, Han Solo helps Luke Skywalker rescue Princess Leia so that he can claim a reward for bringing her back. Once Han Solo has received his reward he leaves Luke, Leia and the rebellion to pay off his personal debts.

Does this make Han Solo a Why do you think this? good friend or a bad friend?

Character: C-3PO

In A New Hope, C-3PO tells Luke Skywalker’s family about what a great Droid R2-D2 is, so that they will buy both Droids together. C-3PO refers to R2-D2 as in good shape and very reliable.

Does this make C-3PO a good Why do you think this? friend or a bad friend?

© 2016 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

EDUCATOR’S RESOURCE GUIDE 6 Student worksheet 2

Character: Han Solo

In The Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo leaves the safety of the Rebel Base on the frozen ice planet of Hoth, when he finds out that Luke Skywalker has still not returned. With the cold, Han knows he may not survive, but takes this risk to see if he can find Luke.

Does this make Han Solo a Why do you think this? good friend or a bad friend?

Character: C-3PO

In A New Hope, C-3PO is tired of all the fighting and missions that he and R2-D2 have been sent on. He doesn’t want to help R2- D2 on another mission to find Obi-Wan Kenobi on the planet Tatooine and so leaves him to travel by himself into the desert planet.

Does this make C-3PO a good Why do you think this? friend or a bad friend?

Character: Lando Calrissian

In he Empire Strikes Back, Lando aids Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and their allies to escape Darth Vader from the city on Bespin, even though this may mean the Empire will take over his city. He also goes to Tatooine, where he poses as a bounty hunter to get ac- cess to Jabba the Hut’s palace in a plan to rescue Han Solo.

Does this make Lando a good Why do you think this? friend or a bad friend?

© 2016 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

EDUCATOR’S RESOURCE GUIDE 7