Lesson Plan
Teacher Guide Mirror Check
In this 30-minute lesson, students will discover three personal strengths and two core values and craft a concise one-sentence strengths statement to boost self-awareness and confidence.
Helping students articulate their strengths and values fosters self-worth, positive affirmations, and empowers them to communicate their identity and capabilities.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Guided reflection and peer interviews lead to personalized strengths statements.
Prep
Review and Setup
10 minutes
- Review Teacher Guide Mirror Check.
- Ensure all slides in Slides Your Voice Matters are accessible.
- Print or assign digitally: Do Now 60-Second Snapshot, Strengths Interview Circles, Strengths Statement Reflection, Share Circle Highlights, Exit Ticket One Word.
- Arrange seating for partner interviews and share circles.
- Confirm students have writing materials or devices.
Step 1
Do Now: 60-Second Snapshot
5 minutes
- Display the prompt: “Write about a recent win you’ve had in 60 seconds.”
- Distribute Do Now 60-Second Snapshot.
- Students write silently for one minute.
- Collect responses or have students keep them on hand.
- Differentiation: Allow extra time or sentence starters for support.
Step 2
Mini-lesson: Modeling Strengths and Values
7 minutes
- Project Slides Your Voice Matters.
- Define personal strengths vs. core values.
- Share 2–3 example statements (e.g., “I am creative, empathetic, and resilient because I value growth and kindness.”).
- Highlight connection to self-worth.
- Use a quick thumbs-up/thumbs-down to check understanding.
Step 3
Interactive: Strengths Interview Circles
8 minutes
- Form groups of three.
- Distribute Strengths Interview Circles.
- In pairs, students interview each other:
• List three strengths and two core values.
• Take notes on partner’s responses. - Rotate roles so everyone shares and listens.
- Teacher circulates to prompt deeper reflection.
- Differentiation: Provide sentence starters or visual prompts as needed.
Step 4
Write: Strengths Statement Reflection
7 minutes
- Hand out Strengths Statement Reflection.
- Students use their interview notes to craft a one-sentence statement.
- Encourage clear, positive, authentic language.
- Suggest format: “I am ___, ___, and ___ because I value ___ and ___.”
- Offer one-on-one support for students who need help with phrasing.
Step 5
Share & Cool-down: One-Word Exit Ticket
3 minutes
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their statements aloud.
- Distribute Exit Ticket One Word.
- Prompt: “Write one word that captures how you feel about your strengths.”
- Collect exit tickets as students leave.
- Use responses to inform future support and celebrations.
Slide Deck
Your Voice Matters
Mirror Check: Own Your Voice
9th Grade • 30 Minutes
Welcome students and introduce today’s 30-minute lesson. Explain that by the end, they’ll identify three personal strengths and two core values and craft a one-sentence statement that celebrates who they are.
Why Your Voice Matters
• Knowing your strengths builds self-worth
• Living your values guides decisions
• Speaking your truth empowers you and others
Emphasize why self-awareness and positive affirmations boost confidence. Connect this to everyday interactions and future goals.
Today’s Agenda
- Do Now: Recent Win
- Strengths vs. Values Mini-Lesson
- Strengths Interview Circles
- Write Your One-Sentence Statement
- Share & Exit Ticket
Quickly run through the agenda to set expectations. Let students know they’ll write, discuss, interview, craft, and share.
What Are Personal Strengths?
• Natural talents or developed skills
• Examples: creative problem-solving, empathy, resilience
Define personal strengths: qualities or skills you do well. Provide brief examples if needed to clarify.
What Are Core Values?
• Beliefs that guide your choices and actions
• Examples: honesty, growth, kindness, perseverance
Define core values as guiding principles. Encourage students to think of what truly matters to them.
Example Strengths Statements
“I am creative, empathetic, and resilient because I value growth and kindness.”
“I am organized, curious, and determined because I value learning and integrity.”
Share two to three model statements. Point out how strengths and values connect in each sentence.
Partner Interviews
• In groups of 3, interview 2 peers
• List each partner’s 3 strengths & 2 values
• Take notes and rotate roles
Prompt students to form groups of three. Distribute Strengths Interview Circles and explain the process.
Craft Your Strengths Statement
Use this template:
“I am ___, ___, and ___ because I value ___ and ___.”
After interviews, transition to writing. Remind students of the suggested sentence frame and encourage authenticity.
Statement Builder
I am _______________, _______________, and _______________
because I value _______________ and _______________.
Display this slide as a worksheet prompt on screen. Students should fill in each blank to build their statement.
Share & Celebrate
• Who wants to share?
• Listen and applaud each voice
Invite 2–3 volunteers to read their statements aloud. Celebrate each shared statement briefly.
One-Word Exit Ticket
Write one word that captures how you feel about your strengths.
Explain the exit ticket: one word capturing how they feel about their strengths. Collect as students leave.
Warm Up
Do Now: 60-Second Snapshot
Instructions: Set a timer for 60 seconds and write without stopping.
Prompt:
Write about a recent win you’ve had. What happened? How did you feel in that moment? Why does this achievement matter to you?
Activity
Strengths Interview Circles
Purpose: Interview two classmates to uncover each person’s top three personal strengths and two core values. Use your notes to craft your one-sentence strengths statement later.
Group Setup (3 students):
- Person A
- Person B
- Person C
Each round, assign roles as:
• Interviewer (asks questions and guides conversation)
• Interviewee (shares strengths and values)
• Recorder (takes notes)
After each interview, rotate roles clockwise so everyone practices each role.
Round 1: Interview Partner 1
Partner’s Name: _________________________________
- List three strengths your partner identifies:
- _______________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________
- List two core values your partner holds:
- _______________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________
- Any additional notes or examples your partner shared:
________________________________________________________________
Round 2: Interview Partner 2
Partner’s Name: _________________________________
- List three strengths your partner identifies:
- _______________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________
- List two core values your partner holds:
- _______________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________
- Any additional notes or examples your partner shared:
________________________________________________________________
After both interviews:
• Review your notes to choose the three strengths and two values you’ll use in your own statement.
• Bring these notes to the next activity: Strengths Statement Reflection.
Journal
Strengths Statement Reflection
Purpose: Use your interview notes to craft a powerful one-sentence strengths statement and reflect on its meaning.
1. Identify Your Top Three Strengths
List the three personal strengths that best describe you:
- _______________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________
2. Choose Your Two Core Values
List two guiding principles that matter most to you:
- _______________________________________________________
- _______________________________________________________
3. Craft Your One-Sentence Strengths Statement
Use the template below. Fill in each blank with your three strengths and two values.
“I am _____________, **___________, and** _______________ because I value _______________ and _______________.”
I am _______________________________________________________
because I value _____________________________________________
4. Reflect on Your Statement
- What does this sentence reveal about who you are?
________________________________________________________________ - When or where could you use this statement to boost your confidence?
________________________________________________________________ - What new insight did you gain about yourself through this activity?
________________________________________________________________ - How might remembering your strengths and values help you face future challenges?
________________________________________________________________
Discussion
Share Circle Highlights
Purpose:
To celebrate each student’s one-sentence strengths statement, notice common themes, and deepen understanding of how our individual strengths and values shape our community.
Time: 5 minutes
1. Form Small Circles
- Groups of 4–5 students.
- Choose one person to be the timekeeper and one to be the notetaker for common themes.
2. Share Your Strengths Statement (30 seconds each)
- Each student reads their sentence aloud (e.g., “I am creative, empathetic, and resilient because I value growth and kindness.”).
- Peers listen actively—no interruptions.
3. Positive Feedback & Highlights
- After each share, one peer offers a quick positive comment or “I noticed…” statement (e.g., “I noticed you really value kindness—your tone showed it!”).
- Keep feedback brief (10–15 seconds).
4. Notetaking: Common Themes
- The notetaker writes down any strengths or values that appear more than once in the circle.
- Examples: empathy, creativity, perseverance, kindness, integrity.
5. Whole-Class Debrief (2 minutes)
- Teacher invites one representative from each circle to share a theme they noticed.
- Record these themes on the board.
Discussion Questions:
- Which strengths or values came up most often?
- Was there a strength or value you hadn’t considered before?
- How could recognizing these shared strengths help us support each other in class?
Next Steps:
Distribute Exit Ticket One Word and ask: “Write one word that captures how hearing your peers’ strengths makes you feel.” Collect as students leave.
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: One Word
Instructions: Reflect on today’s activities and write one word that captures how you feel about your strengths.