Recognizing Strengths - 1
Lesson Plan
Goal: During a teacher selected activity(structured and unstructured), the student will identify one of their own strengths in 8 out of 10 observable opportunities as measured by a teacher assessment tool.
Objectives:
1. Create a list of activities or situations that the student displays a strength in (such as math class, being helpful at lunchtime, sharing toys at recess, etc.)
2. Recognize why the activity may be a strength for them (such as they smile when doing it, they like to do that activity all the time, etc.).
Standards: Click on the appropriate link below to view Language Arts standards included in this lesson.
Definitions of Key Terms: A character strength is something that a person is good at. A strength is usually an activity or task that a person likes to do.
Discussion Points:
- We all have things we do well. These are our strengths
- Discuss with students the meaning of strength.
- Share with students that a strength does not always mean someone is strong physically.
- Provide examples of where you can see strengths in a person or themselves. Below are some broad ideas to share:
- Personality
- Academic Areas
- Sports
- Fine Arts
Possible activities to review the discussion points:
- The group should form a circle. Ask a question and allow students to toss a bean bag to those who would like to answer the question.
- Play tic-tac-toe by dividing the group into teams. Write discussion questions on a sticky note and place them on the tic-tac-toe grid. Allow a representative from the team to select a post-it note and as a team develop an answer to the question. If they get it right, they may put their team's marker (x or o) on the grid.
Directions for In-Person or Virtual Learning: You have three options for students to complete this lesson.
- Option 1: Print the Student Activity Sheet for each student. Complete the lesson as a group and assign the activity sheet to the students.
- Option 2: Click the Student link to access the activity sheet electronically and post to your Learning Management System (if your school has one) or send the link to the student. The student may complete the activity sheet electronically within the classroom on a shared computer or device.
- Option 3: Click the Student link to access the activity sheet electronically and send the link to the student. The student may access the link from a home computer, chromebook, iPad or other device.
Activity 1: What Are Character Strengths?
Discuss with students that we all have strengths. Review with students the different strengths on the character strength cards. List the strengths on the board and record situations when it would be important to display each strength. Cards can be found here: SiLAS Character Strength Cards.
- Character Strength Cards - one sheet for each student
- Chart Paper or Interactive Board
Activity 2: What Is My Character Strength?
Discuss one or two of your own strengths. You may also want to draw a picture of the strength on chart paper or Interactive Board for the class. Discuss why you believe that to be a strength for you (such as how it makes you feel when you do that task). Allow students time to complete Student Activity Sheet A. Discuss the students’ answers/pictures when they have finished.
- Student Activity Sheet A - 1 Per Student
- Drawing Materials for Each Student
Student Activity Sheet A
Directions: Think about a character strength you have. What is it? Draw a picture below.
My strength is
Activity 3: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
Read the statements below. Instruct students to give a thumbs up if the statement is an example of a character strength. If the statement is not, have them give a thumbs down. Be sure to mix up the statements so all the thumbs up items are NOT grouped together.
- Statements
- Tori loves working with others. She can usually settle a disagreement by using cooperation.
- Being able to help others is important to Officer Dave.Officer Dave loves being a police officer. He decided this job was for him when he was a little boy.
- Chris loves to be in charge when working in groups. He ignores the other group members’ ideas. Chris often gets mad when he doesn’t get his way.
- Anya volunteers at the animal shelter twice a week. She likes to spend her free time helping both people and animals.
- Donnie is a fantastic soccer player. He scores most of the goals for his team. If his team loses, he blames other people, often saying his teammates aren’t good enough to be on his team.
- SiLAS’ mom babysits for a few families in his neighborhood. SiLAS enjoys helping his mother by preparing an afternoon snack for all the kids. He can’t wait until he is old enough to babysit by himself.
Lesson Extension: Listening Comprehension
Explain that a script is a form of dialogue writing between characters in a movie, play, or broadcast. Using the Immersive Reader, students should listen carefully as the teacher shares the example scripts. Scripts can be replayed as needed. Allow students time to answer the questions on Student Activity Sheet B.
- Student Activity Sheet B - 1 Per Student
- Pencil for each student
If you prefer not to use Immersive Reader, you may have students role-play the script for the class.
In advance of listening to the script together, prepare a few comprehension questions at your students’ level in order to assess their understanding of the script.
After students have finished, discuss the listening comprehension questions together.
Example Script: Recognizing Strengths Appropriately
Tori: Good morning Mr. B. Is there anything I could help you with to get ready for the day?
Mr. B: Sure! Could you please help pass out these papers.
Tori: I would love to!
Tori: I would love to.
Mr. B: Thank you! Your help is getting my day off to a great start.
Read Aloud Recommendations: Completing a read aloud with students is a great way to connect text with lesson content while incorporating reading and language practice. Below are suggested titles including, a YouTube link, Lexile and Grade Level information for books relating to the lesson.
| Book Title | Author | Grade Level | Lexile Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curious Readers-Positive Power Stories: I Am Helpful | Suzi Capozzo | K-2 | 310 |
| Kindness Counts | Jan and Mike Berenstain | 2-3 | 630 |
Student Activity Sheet B
Directions: Create a comic to match the script from today’s lesson.
Application Activity
Review and discuss the example script from the lesson extension.
In small groups, have the students create scripts that show correctly and incorrectly recognizing strengths. Use the script sheet to have the groups create scripts.
- Script sheet for each group
- Pencil for Each Student
Have students record their scripts using the SiLAS software. Remind students to name and save their recordings. Premiere the movies with the group members at the end of each session.
Script Extensions:
Click the following hyperlinks to have students choose their Characters, Background and Props prior to writing scripts. For examples of script writing accommodations, click Here.
Ideas for modifying this activity based on your students’ needs:
- create a script as a class
- pair or group students so that skill levels are varied and assign each a role or task that uses their skill
- create the script by recording the dialog with a phone or other recording device.
Example Script: Recognizing Strengths Appropriately
Tori: Good morning Mr. B. Is there anything I could help you with to get ready for the day?
Mr. B: Sure! Could you please help pass out these papers.
Tori: I would love to!
Mr. B: Thank you! Your help is getting my day off to a great start.
Example Script: Recognizing Strengths Inappropriately
Tori: Good morning Mr. B. Is there anything I could help you with to get ready for the day?
Mr. B: Sure! Could you please help pass out these papers.
Tori: I would love to!
Mr. B: Thank you. I just love your sense of humor.
Animation Creation: Have students record their scripts using the SiLAS software. Remember to name and save their work. Premiere the movies with the group members at the end of each session.
Topic Checkout
Allow students to complete the Student Topic Checkout.
- Student Topic Checkout
- Pencil for Each Student
Student Topic Checkout
Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the word bank.
| hard working | caring | creative | cooperative | brave | curious |
|---|
1. If you work well with others and enjoy teamwork. Your strength is .
2. You deal with challenges and take on difficult problems. Your strength is .
3. You are great at thinking of new ways to do things. Solving problems is something you love to do. Your strength is .
4. You are always excited to try something new! Your strength is .
5. You are kind to others and go out of your way to help them. Your strength is .
6. You give your best effort and work hard at everything you do. Your strength is .