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Can You Spot a Strength in Action?

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Hanifah Suhandaru

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Strength Spotting Lesson Plan

Students will be able to identify and describe various strengths in themselves, their peers, and characters in stories, fostering self-awareness and empathy.

Recognizing strengths helps students build self-confidence, appreciate the unique qualities of others, and understand how different talents contribute to a positive community.

Audience

3rd Grade Class

Time

55 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussions, story analysis, and observational activities.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Detective's Guide to Strengths, Everyday Heroes Short Stories, and Strength Detective Log Worksheet

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Strength Spotting Lesson Plan to ensure familiarity with objectives and activities.
    - Read through the Detective's Guide to Strengths to understand the flow of the presentation.
    - Familiarize yourself with the Everyday Heroes Short Stories and identify key moments where character strengths are evident.
    - Print enough copies of the Strength Detective Log Worksheet for each student.
    - Prepare the whiteboard or projector for the slide deck presentation.

Step 1

Introduction: What are Strengths?

10 minutes

  • Begin by asking students what they think a 'strength' is. Guide the discussion to include not just physical strengths, but also qualities like kindness, creativity, problem-solving, and leadership.
    - Use Slide 1: Can You Spot a Strength in Action? to introduce the lesson.
    - Explain that today, they will be 'strength detectives,' looking for clues about strengths in themselves and others.
    - Ask students to share one strength they think they have. (e.g., "I am a good listener," "I am good at drawing.")

Step 2

Introducing the Detective's Guide

10 minutes

  • Present the Detective's Guide to Strengths to the class.
    - Go through slides 2-4, defining different types of strengths with examples.
    - Encourage students to think of examples from their own lives or from people they know for each strength discussed.

Step 3

Strength Spotting in Stories

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Everyday Heroes Short Stories.
    - Read one or two of the stories aloud as a class, or have students read independently or in pairs.
    - After each story, lead a discussion using prompts like: 'What strengths did you notice in the character? How did their strengths help them or others?'
    - Model how to identify strengths and provide textual evidence from the story.

Step 4

Strength Detective Log

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Strength Detective Log Worksheet.
    - Explain that students will now work individually or in small groups to complete the worksheet.
    - Instruct them to choose one of the remaining stories from Everyday Heroes Short Stories (or a story they recently read) and identify strengths in the characters, providing examples from the text.
    - Encourage them to also think about a strength they observed in a classmate today and write it down (without naming the classmate publicly, emphasizing positive observation).

Step 5

Wrap-up and Share

5 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
    - Ask a few volunteers to share a strength they identified in a character from the stories.
    - Briefly discuss the importance of recognizing and appreciating strengths in everyone, including themselves.
    - Collect the Strength Detective Log Worksheet for review.
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Slide Deck

Can You Spot a Strength in Action?

Welcome, Strength Detectives!
Today, we're going on a mission to find strengths!

Welcome students and introduce the idea of being 'strength detectives.' Ask them what they think a strength is and why it's important to notice them.

What are Strengths?

Strengths are special qualities or talents we have.
They help us do things well and make the world a better place!

Think: What makes you shine?

Explain that strengths aren't just about being strong physically. They are special qualities or talents we have that help us and others.

Types of Strengths

  • Kindness: Being nice and caring to others.
  • Creativity: Imagining and making new things.
  • Problem-Solving: Finding ways to fix tough situations.
  • Leadership: Helping a group work together.
  • Listening: Paying close attention to what others say.

What other strengths can you think of?

Introduce different types of strengths with simple examples. Encourage students to think of people they know who exhibit these strengths.

Your Mission, Detectives!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to:

  1. Spot Strengths in characters from stories.
  2. Notice Strengths in your classmates.
  3. Recognize Your Own Strengths!

Let's go find some everyday heroes!

Explain that they will practice identifying strengths in stories and in their classmates.

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Reading

Everyday Heroes Short Stories

Story 1: Lily and the Lost Puppy

Lily was walking home from school when she heard a faint whimpering sound. She looked around and saw a small, fluffy puppy stuck under a bush, its leash tangled around a branch. The puppy looked scared and alone. Lily knew she had to help. She carefully kneeled down, speaking in a soft, calm voice to soothe the puppy. She gently untangled the leash, making sure not to hurt the little dog. Once the puppy was free, Lily didn't just leave it. She thought about what to do next. She remembered seeing a lost pet poster at the community center. Showing great responsibility, Lily carefully carried the puppy to the center, where they helped her find the puppy's very relieved owner.

Story 2: The Great Crayon Rescue

During art class, Leo noticed his friend Maya looking very sad. She had accidentally knocked her box of new crayons off the table, and they had rolled everywhere, some even under desks that were hard to reach. Maya was about to cry. Leo, seeing her distress, immediately got on his hands and knees and started looking for the crayons. He didn't just find his own, he made sure to gather all of Maya's. Other students started to help too, inspired by Leo's helpfulness. Soon, all the crayons were back in the box, and Maya was smiling again. Leo showed great teamwork and empathy.

Story 3: The Quiet Helper

Every morning, before the bell rang, Sarah would quietly walk around the classroom. She noticed when chairs were out of place, or if books were left on the floor. Without being asked, Sarah would straighten the chairs, pick up the books, and organize the stray pencils. She didn't seek attention or praise; she just liked to make sure the classroom was neat and ready for learning. Her teacher always appreciated how thoughtful and organized Sarah was, making the classroom a better place for everyone.

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Worksheet

Strength Detective Log

Your Mission: To find and record strengths!

Part 1: Strengths in Stories

Choose one of the "Everyday Heroes Short Stories." Read it carefully and become a true strength detective!

  1. Story Title:


  2. Character You Observed:


  3. What strengths did you notice in this character? (Think about their actions, words, and how they helped others.)











  4. How did this character show their strength? (Give an example from the story!)











Part 2: Strengths in Our Classroom

Today, you are also a strength detective in our classroom! Think about one of your classmates.

  1. What strength did you observe in a classmate today? (Remember not to write their name! Just the strength.)






  2. How did you see this strength in action? (Describe what they did.)











Part 3: My Own Strengths

Now, it's time to be a strength detective for yourself!

  1. What is one strength you know you have?



  2. How do you use this strength at school or at home?











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