Lesson Plan
Know Yourself Facilitator Guide
Students will assess their personal traits, identify and rank their top five strengths, and reflect on how to apply these strengths in real-life contexts.
Self-awareness is foundational to personal growth and resilience. By recognizing their unique strengths, students build confidence, improve decision-making, and foster a growth mindset. This lesson equips 11th graders with tools to understand and leverage their strengths in academic and social situations.
Audience
11th Grade Small Group
Time
25 minutes
Approach
Guided self-assessment, peer discussion, and reflective journaling.
Materials
Trait Assessment Slides, - Personal Traits Inventory, - Rank & Reflect Circle Guidelines, - Strengths Journal Entry Template, - Pens or Pencils, and - Projector or Screen
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Print enough copies of Personal Traits Inventory and Strengths Journal Entry Template for each student
- Test and queue up the Trait Assessment Slides on the classroom projector or screen
- Review the Know Yourself Facilitator Guide and Rank & Reflect Circle Guidelines
- Arrange seating in a circle to facilitate open discussion
Step 1
Introduction
3 minutes
- Greet students and outline the session's goal: to explore self-awareness and identify personal strengths
- Display the agenda on Trait Assessment Slides
- Emphasize the importance of recognizing individual traits for personal growth
Step 2
Personal Traits Inventory
7 minutes
- Distribute the Personal Traits Inventory worksheet to each student
- Guide students to quietly rate each trait on a scale of 1 (least like me) to 5 (most like me)
- Use slides from Trait Assessment Slides to define any unfamiliar traits upon request
Step 3
Rank & Reflect Discussion
10 minutes
- Arrange students in a circle following the Rank & Reflect Circle Guidelines
- Invite each student in turn to share their top five traits and explain why they ranked them highest
- Encourage active listening by asking peers to respond with one positive observation or follow-up question
Step 4
Strengths Journal Reflection
5 minutes
- Hand out the Strengths Journal Entry Template
- Prompt students to write about one top strength they identified and how they can apply it in their academic or personal life this week
- Conclude with a brief pair-share where students discuss their reflection with a partner
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Slide Deck
Know Yourself: Trait Assessment
Discover your unique qualities and strengths
Build self-awareness to guide personal growth
Prepare to complete the Personal Traits Inventory (#personal-traits-inventory)
Welcome students to the “Know Yourself” series. Explain that today’s focus is on assessing personal traits to build self-awareness and recognize strengths. Emphasize active participation and open discussion.
Learning Objectives
- Assess personal traits on a 1–5 scale
- Identify and rank your top five traits
- Discuss strengths with peers using positive feedback
- Reflect on applying one strength this week
Read each objective aloud. Invite clarification questions. Reinforce why each objective matters for self-understanding.
Session Agenda
• Introduction (3 min)
• Personal Traits Inventory (7 min)
• Rank & Reflect Discussion (10 min)
• Strengths Journal Reflection (5 min)
Outline the session flow with approximate times. Mention that timing is flexible but we’ll aim to stay on track.
Completing the Inventory
- Rate each trait from 1 (least) to 5 (most)
- Work silently and honestly
- Ask if you need definitions or clarifications
Distribute the Personal Traits Inventory worksheets now. Explain rating: 1 means “least like me,” 5 means “most like me.” Circulate to answer questions.
Trait Definitions (Part 1)
• Adaptability: Adjusting easily to new situations
• Communication: Expressing ideas clearly to others
• Creativity: Generating original ideas or solutions
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing others’ feelings
• Leadership: Guiding or motivating a group
Introduce these trait definitions to ensure all students understand key terms. Encourage students to jot quick notes if needed.
Trait Definitions (Part 2)
• Organization: Keeping tasks and time orderly
• Perseverance: Persisting despite challenges
• Problem-Solving: Finding effective solutions
• Self-Confidence: Belief in your abilities
• Teamwork: Collaborating well with others
Continue defining traits. Connect back to the inventory list so students can refer to these when they rate.
Ranking Your Top Five
- Review your highest-rated traits
- Select the five most meaningful to you
- Number them 1–5 (1 = most important)
- Prepare to share your top trait meanings
Explain how to choose and rank the top five traits. Remind students to note why they selected each.
Discussion Prompts
• Share your top five traits and why you chose them
• Peers respond with one positive observation
• Ask a follow-up question to deepen understanding
• Listen actively and respectfully
Describe the circle discussion format. Refer to the Rank & Reflect Circle Guidelines for seating and response structure.
Journal Reflection
- Choose one top strength
- Write how you will use it in school or life this week
- Pair up and share your plan briefly
Distribute the Strengths Journal Entry Template now. Emphasize concise reflection and practical application.
Closing & Next Steps
• Apply your chosen strength this week
• Reflect daily in your journal
• Be ready to discuss outcomes in our next meeting
Congratulate students on their insights. Encourage them to revisit their journal entry during the week. Preview next session’s focus.
Worksheet
Personal Traits Inventory
Instructions: Rate each trait from 1 (least like me) to 5 (most like me). Write your rating next to each trait.
- Adaptability: ____
- Communication: ____
- Creativity: ____
- Empathy: ____
- Leadership: ____
- Organization: ____
- Perseverance: ____
- Problem-Solving: ____
- Self-Confidence: ____
- Teamwork: ____
- Responsibility: ____
- Open-Mindedness: ____
- Emotional Regulation: ____
- Initiative: ____
- Resilience: ____
Rank Your Top Five Traits
From your ratings, select and rank your top five traits. For each rank, write the trait and briefly explain why it is important to you.
- Rank 1 (most important)
Trait: _______________________________
Why is this your top trait? _________________
- Rank 2
Trait: _______________________________
Why is this your second trait? ____________
- Rank 3
Trait: _______________________________
Why is this your third trait? _____________
- Rank 4
Trait: _______________________________
Why is this your fourth trait? ____________
- Rank 5 (fifth)
Trait: _______________________________
Why is this your fifth trait? _____________
Discussion
Rank & Reflect Circle Guidelines
Purpose
These guidelines help students share their top five traits in a supportive circle, practice active listening, and offer positive feedback or thoughtful questions.
1. Seating & Setup
- Arrange all chairs in a closed circle so everyone can see each other.
- Remove barriers (desks, bags) from the center of the circle.
- Place a small timer or bell in the middle for timekeeping.
2. Roles & Order
- Speaker: Shares their top five traits in ranked order and explains why each is important.
- Listeners: Each peer offers one positive observation or asks one follow-up question.
- Speaking Order: Choose a volunteer to start.
- Proceed clockwise around the circle until each student has shared.
3. Speaking Guidelines for the Speaker
- Introduce yourself and state your Rank 1 trait and your reason.
- Repeat briefly for Ranks 2–5.
- Speak clearly and maintain a steady pace (aim for 1–2 minutes total).
4. Active Listening for Peers
- Face the speaker and make eye contact.
- Put away phones and other distractions.
- After the speaker finishes, respond with one of the following:
• A positive observation (e.g., “I appreciate how you described your perseverance—it shows grit.”)
• A clarifying question (e.g., “Can you tell us more about a time you used your adaptability?”)
5. Timekeeping
- Facilitator or designated Timekeeper rings the bell or signals when 1 minute remains for the current speaker.
- After the speaker’s time ends, listeners have 30 seconds to respond.
6. Respectful Dialogue Tips
- Use “I” statements (e.g., “I noticed…” or “I wonder…”).
- Avoid interrupting or side conversations.
- Keep feedback focused on traits and their real-life applications.
At the end of the circle, thank everyone for participating. Highlight any common strengths or surprises that emerged. Remind students to carry this positive energy into their journal reflection on the next step.
Journal
Strengths Journal Entry
Instructions: Reflect on one of your top strengths, plan how to apply it this week, and capture feedback from a partner.
1. My Chosen Strength
Which one of your top five strengths did you select for this reflection?
_______________________________
2. Why This Strength Matters to Me
Explain why this strength is important for your personal growth or success.
3. Action Plan: Applying My Strength This Week
A. In School: Describe two specific actions you will take to use this strength during class, group work, or assignments.
B. At Home or with Friends: Describe two ways you will apply this strength outside of school.
4. Anticipating Challenges
What obstacles might make it hard to use your strength? How will you overcome them?
5. Partner’s Feedback & Suggestions
After sharing your plan with a partner, record one positive observation they offered and one suggestion for improvement.
- Positive Observation:
- Suggestion for Improvement: