Lesson Plan
Superpower Discovery Lesson
Students will identify their unique strengths and interests, and begin to connect them to potential career paths.
Building self-awareness of strengths and interests is crucial for motivating students in their future planning and career exploration.
Audience
High School Special Education Class
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discovery and reflection.
Materials
Unleash Your Inner Hero (slide-deck), Strength-Spotting Scenarios (activity), My Future Superpowers Reflection (journal), Pens/Pencils, and Whiteboard or projector
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Superpower Discovery Lesson to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
* Prepare the Unleash Your Inner Hero slide deck.
* Print or prepare for digital distribution the Strength-Spotting Scenarios activity sheets.
* Print or prepare for digital distribution the My Future Superpowers Reflection journal prompts.
* Ensure projector or whiteboard is ready for use.
* Gather writing utensils for students.
Step 1
Introduction: What's a Superpower?
10 minutes
- Begin by displaying the title slide of the Unleash Your Inner Hero slide deck.
* Engage students with a brief discussion: "What comes to mind when you hear 'superpower'?" Allow for a few responses.
* Explain that superpowers aren't just about flying or super strength; they're also about our unique skills, talents, and what we're good at. Refer to Unleash Your Inner Hero Slide 1-2.
Step 2
Brainstorming Personal Superpowers
15 minutes
- Guide students through interactive slides to brainstorm their own "superpowers" (strengths and interests).
* Provide examples of various strengths (e.g., problem-solving, creativity, helping others, being organized).
* Encourage students to think about things they enjoy doing, things they're good at, and compliments they've received. Use Unleash Your Inner Hero Slide 3-5 for prompts and examples.
* Facilitate a brief share-out, allowing students to volunteer one "superpower" they identified.
Step 3
Strength-Spotting Scenarios Activity
20 minutes
- Distribute the Strength-Spotting Scenarios activity sheets.
* Explain that students will read short scenarios and identify which strengths or "superpowers" would be useful in each situation.
* Students can work individually or in small groups.
* Circulate the room to provide support and answer questions.
* After the activity, bring the class back together to discuss a few scenarios and the strengths identified. Use Unleash Your Inner Hero Slide 6 to transition.
Step 4
Connecting Superpowers to Careers
5 minutes
- Lead a discussion on how the strengths identified in the scenarios (and their personal superpowers) could relate to different jobs or career paths. Refer to Unleash Your Inner Hero Slide 7-8.
* Provide a few examples: "If your superpower is being organized, what jobs might that be helpful for?"
Step 5
Future Superpowers Reflection
10 minutes
- Distribute the My Future Superpowers Reflection journal prompts.
* Instruct students to choose one or two of their identified strengths and reflect on how they might use these in a future career or in their daily lives.
* Encourage thoughtful writing. Collect journals at the end of class or allow students to share if time permits. Use Unleash Your Inner Hero Slide 9 for the closing thoughts.
Slide Deck
What's Your Future Superpower?
Identifying Your Unique Strengths for Career Exploration
What do you think of when you hear 'superpower'?
Welcome students to the lesson. Ask them what comes to mind when they hear the word 'superpower'. Facilitate a brief discussion.
Beyond Capes and Masks
Superpowers aren't just about flying or super strength.
They are your unique strengths, talents, and interests!
These are things you are naturally good at, things you enjoy doing, and things that make you, YOU!
Explain that superpowers aren't just about comic book heroes. They are about our unique talents, skills, and things we are naturally good at or enjoy doing.
What Are Your Superpowers?
Think about...
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What are you good at?
- What do people compliment you on?
- What comes easily to you?
Prompt students to think about various types of strengths. Give examples and encourage them to think broadly about their own abilities.
Superpower Examples
- Problem-Solver: You love puzzles and finding solutions.
- Creative Thinker: You have lots of new ideas and like to make things.
- Helper: You enjoy assisting others and making a difference.
- Organizer: You like to keep things neat and planned.
- Communicator: You're good at talking to people and expressing ideas.
- Listener: You're great at paying attention and understanding others.
Provide some concrete examples of 'everyday' superpowers. Ask students to share one if they feel comfortable.
Your Turn! What's YOUR Superpower?
Take a moment to write down 2-3 of your own unique strengths or interests. Don't worry if it doesn't sound like a 'superpower' at first – just list what you're good at or enjoy!
Allow students a moment to jot down ideas. This will prepare them for the activity. Encourage them to be specific.
Strength-Spotting Scenarios
Now, let's put our superpower-spotting skills to the test!
We will read some scenarios and figure out which superpowers would be most helpful in each situation.
Introduce the 'Strength-Spotting Scenarios' activity. Explain the instructions clearly.
Superpowers and Career Paths
How can your strengths and interests help you in a job?
- If you're an Organizer, what jobs might you be great at?
- If you're a Problem-Solver, what kind of work might suit you?
- If you're a Helper, where could you make a difference?
Transition to connecting these strengths to real-world applications in careers. Ask for student input on how a specific superpower might be useful in a job.
Linking Strengths to Jobs
Your superpowers are valuable in the world of work!
- Creative Thinker -> Artist, Writer, Designer, Chef
- Communicator -> Teacher, Salesperson, Journalist
- Detail-Oriented -> Accountant, Scientist, Engineer
- Caring/Empathetic -> Nurse, Counselor, Social Worker
Provide more examples of careers that align with different strengths to broaden their perspective.
My Future Superpowers Reflection
Think about what we discussed today.
How might your unique strengths and interests guide you toward a fulfilling future?
Introduce the journal reflection as the final activity. Emphasize thoughtful writing.
Activity
Strength-Spotting Scenarios
Directions: Read each scenario below. Then, identify which "superpowers" (strengths or skills) would be most helpful in that situation. Explain why you think so.
Scenario 1: The Class Project Problem
Your group is working on a big presentation, and everyone has different ideas. No one can agree on how to start, and time is running out. One student starts to get frustrated and wants to give up.
Which superpowers would be most helpful here?
Why?
Scenario 2: The Lost Item
A friend has lost their favorite book somewhere in the school library. They are really upset and don't know where to look first. The library is very big and has thousands of books.
Which superpowers would be most helpful here?
Why?
Scenario 3: Organizing a School Event
The school is planning a fun fair, and volunteers are needed to set up games, organize food, and manage the schedule. It seems like a lot of different tasks need to happen at the same time to make the event a success.
Which superpowers would be most helpful here?
Why?
Scenario 4: Helping a New Student
A new student just joined your class. They seem a bit shy and don't know many people. They also seem confused about the school's routines and where to go for different classes.
Which superpowers would be most helpful here?
Why?
Journal
My Future Superpowers Reflection
Directions: Think about the superpowers (strengths and interests) you identified today. Choose one or two that you feel are most important to you, and answer the questions below.
My Top Superpower(s):
Question 1: How does this superpower help you in your daily life right now?
Think about school, home, or with friends. Give a specific example.
Question 2: How could you use this superpower in a future job or career?
Try to think of at least one specific job where this strength would be very useful. Explain why.
Question 3: What is one step you can take this week to practice or develop your superpower even more?
Question 4: How does knowing your superpowers make you feel about your future?