Session 1 Warm-Up Prompt Cards

Choose 2–3 of the following open-ended questions to build rapport and get the conversation started:

1. What is something you enjoy doing outside of school?

2. What’s a skill or talent you feel proud of?

3. Can you share a recent success you’ve had, big or small?

4. What hobbies or activities make you lose track of time?

5. Who do you look up to, and why?

6. What’s a challenge you’ve overcome recently?

7. If you could learn any new skill, what would it be?

8. What’s one quality you like about yourself?

Strengths and Resilience Reading

Everyone faces challenges in life—large or small. What sets us apart is how we respond to those challenges. Resilience is our ability to bounce back, learn from difficult moments, and keep moving forward. You already have strengths inside you—qualities like patience, creativity, loyalty, or quick thinking—that can help you overcome obstacles and reach your goals.

Imagine a young tree in a storm. At first, the wind pushes it hard, bending it low. But because its roots are strong and flexible, it doesn’t break. Instead, it sways and then stands up tall again when the storm passes. Like that tree, you have deep roots—your personal strengths—that let you adapt and recover when life gets tough.

Think back to a time when you faced a problem, big or small: maybe a disagreement with a friend, a difficult assignment, or a day when everything seemed to go wrong. What helped you get through it? Was it your sense of humor? Your ability to plan? Your willingness to ask for help? Those moments reveal your natural strengths.

When we focus on our strengths, we build confidence. Each time you notice yourself showing kindness, solving a problem, or staying calm under pressure, you reinforce those positive qualities. Over time, this makes you more resistant to stress and less likely to get derailed by distractions or negative habits.

As you read this, consider three strengths you believe you have. Maybe you’re a good listener, a hard worker, or someone who sticks with a task until it’s done. In the next activity, we’ll explore how those strengths can help you in school, in relationships, and as you work toward your dreams. Remember: your strengths are tools in your toolbox—use them wisely, and you’ll find that challenges become chances to grow.

Strengths Self-Assessment Worksheet

Use this worksheet to discover and explore your personal strengths. Complete each section below.

1. List Your Top 3 Strengths

Write three qualities, abilities, or traits you believe are your strengths (e.g., creativity, patience, leadership). For each, explain why it’s important to you.

1. Strength: _______________________________
   
   
   Why this is a strength:
   
   ___________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
2. Strength: _______________________________
   
   
   Why this is a strength:
   
   ___________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
3. Strength: _______________________________
   
   
   Why this is a strength:
   
   ___________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   

2. Rate Your Strengths

On a scale from 1 (needs work) to 5 (very strong), rate how confident you feel using each strength right now.

Strength 1: ________________ Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Strength 2: ________________ Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Strength 3: ________________ Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

3. Real-Life Examples

For each strength above, describe a specific time when you used it successfully. Include what happened and how you felt afterward.

1. Example for Strength 1:
   
   ___________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Example for Strength 2:
   
   ___________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Example for Strength 3:
   
   ___________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Putting Strengths to Work

Choose one of your strengths and write a short plan for how you will use it in class this week to stay focused, calm, or engaged. Be specific.


Strength chosen: _______________________________


My plan:

___________________________________________________________

Next Steps: Bring this worksheet to our next session. We’ll discuss how it went and build on your successes!

Strengths Mapping Activity

Use this visual activity to connect each of your top three strengths to real-life examples and think about how you can apply them in class.

## 1. Strength 1
Strength: _______________________________





Example: Describe a time you used this strength:






In-Class Use: How could this strength help you stay focused or calm in class this week?






---

## 2. Strength 2
Strength: _______________________________





Example: Describe a time you used this strength:






In-Class Use: How could this strength help you stay focused or calm in class this week?






---

## 3. Strength 3
Strength: _______________________________





Example: Describe a time you used this strength:






In-Class Use: How could this strength help you stay focused or calm in class this week?

Discussion Guide: Identifying Strengths

Use this guide to deepen the conversation around personal strengths, encourage self-reflection, and help the student connect those strengths to real-life situations.

How to Use This Guide

• Review the student’s responses on the Strengths Self-Assessment Worksheet before you begin.
• Ask one question at a time and give the student space to think.
• Use follow-up prompts to encourage elaboration and concrete examples.
• Validate every response and highlight positive patterns.

1. Connecting to the Reading

Question: Which strength from the Strengths and Resilience Reading resonated with you the most, and why?
Follow-Ups:

• Can you describe a moment when you saw yourself using that strength?
• What did it feel like to use that strength in the past?

2. Exploring Personal Examples

Question: Tell me about a time you felt proud of yourself. What strengths did you use in that situation?
Follow-Ups:

• What was the challenge you faced?
• How did your strengths help you overcome it?
• Who was involved, and what did they notice about how you handled things?

3. Strengths in the Classroom

Question: How could one of your strengths help you stay focused or calm during a class when you feel distracted or frustrated?
Follow-Ups:

• What might that look like in a real classroom moment?
• What steps could you take to remind yourself to use that strength?

4. Building on What You’ve Learned

Question: Looking at your top three strengths on the Strengths Mapping Activity, which one would you like to develop further?
Follow-Ups:

• What small goal could you set to practice that strength this week?
• How will you know you’re getting better at using it?

Teacher Tips

• Use active listening: nod, summarize, and reflect back key points.
• Affirm effort: “I can see how you’ve thought through this.”
• Look for patterns: highlight strengths that appear across different examples.
• Keep the tone positive and solution-focused.

After this discussion, encourage the student to jot down any new insights in the Reflection Journal and set a small, actionable goal for using a specific strength before your next session.

Session 1 Reflection Journal

Use this journal to capture your thoughts, insights, and goals based on today’s session. Take your time and write honestly.

1. Strength Discovered

What is one personal strength you identified today? How did you recognize this strength?

2. Action Plan

How will you use this strength in class or at home this week? Be specific about when and how you’ll apply it.

3. Potential Challenges

What obstacles might get in the way of using this strength? How can you remind yourself or plan ahead to overcome those challenges?

4. Feeling and Commitment

How do you feel after today’s session? What is one small commitment you will make right now to keep building on your strengths?

When we review this at our next session, we’ll celebrate your successes and adjust your plan as needed!