Focusing on Strengths


What is the “big idea” for this lesson?

  • We each have many character strengths, some we are really good at and others we are working on.

  • Knowing and remembering our character strengths helps us to be resilient, because we know what things we can do for ourselves and for others to help us through a difficult time.

Reflection questions:

  1. Think about the activities and hobbies you enjoy and the things you’re proud of about yourself, then take a look at the list of character strengths. What do you think are some of your character strengths?

  2. How do you use these character strengths to help you bounce back when hard things happen?

Character Strengths Activity

This activity allows you to think about your strengths and how they help you. Writing and drawing your strengths, and putting them somewhere you can see every day, will help you remember to be your best self as you face challenges.

Brainstorm:

  1. What are some of my favorite activities and hobbies? What character strengths do I need in order to be successful in those activities?

  2. What are my top 3-4 strengths? (Hint: here are few to choose from if you need some help getting started: honest, trustworthy, caring and kind, helpful, empathetic, loyal, hardworking, resilient, independent, cooperative, curious, sense of humor, creative, team-player…)

Materials: 

  • Pens, markers, colored pencils, or any other art materials you want to use

  • Post-it note or paper

  • Tape to hang your note or picture

Directions:

  1. Consider the brainstorm questions (below). What are your top 3-4 strengths?

    (Hint: if you’re stuck, ask a friend or family member to help you name your strengths.)


  2. If you’re using a post-it note or piece of paper, write your top3-4 strengths. You can write them all on one note or write 3 or 4different notes for yourself.


  3. If you’re creating a self-portrait, draw yourself (any way you want!) and write your top 3-4 strengths somewhere in the picture.


  4. Using a small piece of tape, or the sticky part of the post-it note, hang your strengths words and strengths portrait somewhere you can see it every day (maybe near your bed or on the bathroom mirror).


  5. Notice how it feels to see your top strengths each day!


 
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Focusing on My Strengths Ingredients



 

Bonus Character Strengths Page

 
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Bonus Videos

Your strengths are your super power:


Hear one student talk about theirs and other’s strengths:



A mindfulness practice to help focus on your strengths:

 
 
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