Lesson Plan
Superpower Discovery Lesson
Students will identify at least three personal strengths and three personal interests. Students will connect identified strengths and interests to at least two potential career paths.
Understanding your unique strengths and interests is the first step towards building a fulfilling future. This lesson helps students discover what they're naturally good at and what excites them, providing a foundation for meaningful career exploration and personal growth.
Audience
High School Special Education Class
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, individual reflection, and scenario-based activity.
Materials
Unleash Your Inner Hero (Slide Deck)](#unleash-inner-hero-slide-deck), Strength-Spotting Scenarios (Activity)](#strength-spotting-scenarios-activity), My Future Superpowers Reflection (Journal)](#my-future-superpowers-reflection-journal), Markers or pens, and Whiteboard or chart paper
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Superpower Discovery Lesson and all linked materials: Unleash Your Inner Hero (Slide Deck), Strength-Spotting Scenarios (Activity), and My Future Superpowers Reflection (Journal).
- Prepare the classroom for group work and individual reflection.
- Ensure markers/pens and whiteboard/chart paper are available.
Step 1
Introduction: What's a Superpower?
10 minutes
- Begin by engaging students with the question: "What makes someone a superhero?" (5 minutes)
- Guide the discussion towards the idea that superpowers aren't just flying or invisibility, but also unique strengths and talents we all possess. (5 minutes)
- Introduce the lesson objective: identifying personal superpowers (strengths and interests) and how they relate to future careers. Use Unleash Your Inner Hero (Slide Deck) slides 1-3.
Step 2
Exploring Strengths & Interests
15 minutes
- Lead a brainstorming session on a whiteboard/chart paper: "What are different types of strengths?" and "What are different types of interests?" (10 minutes)
- Provide examples to prompt students (e.g., strength: good listener, problem-solver; interest: art, sports, helping people). Use Unleash Your Inner Hero (Slide Deck) slides 4-6.
- Ask students to individually jot down 3-5 strengths and interests they believe they possess. (5 minutes)
Step 3
Strength-Spotting Scenarios Activity
20 minutes
- Distribute the Strength-Spotting Scenarios (Activity) worksheet. (2 minutes)
- Explain that students will read short scenarios and identify what strengths or interests would be helpful in those situations. (3 minutes)
- Have students work in small groups or pairs to discuss and complete the activity. Circulate to provide support and facilitate discussion. (15 minutes)
- Bring the class back together and briefly discuss a few scenarios as a whole group, highlighting diverse perspectives. Use Unleash Your Inner Hero (Slide Deck) slides 7-8.
Step 4
Connecting Superpowers to Careers
10 minutes
- Guide students to think about how the strengths and interests they identified could be useful in different jobs or careers. Use Unleash Your Inner Hero (Slide Deck) slides 9-10.
- Provide examples: "If your superpower is being a good listener, what jobs might that be helpful for?" (e.g., counselor, customer service). "If you love animals, what careers could involve that interest?" (e.g., vet, zookeeper).
- Encourage students to share any initial ideas about careers that might align with their own strengths and interests.
Step 5
Reflection and Wrap-up
5 minutes
- Distribute the My Future Superpowers Reflection (Journal).
- Explain that this journal will help them reflect further on today's lesson and begin thinking more deeply about their future.
- Collect any completed parts of the Strength-Spotting Scenarios (Activity) or review answers as a class if time allows. Use Unleash Your Inner Hero (Slide Deck) slides 11-12.
Slide Deck
Unleash Your Inner Hero
What makes a superhero super?
Welcome students. Begin with a hook about superheroes. Ask students to think about what makes a superhero powerful.
Beyond Capes and Flying
Superpowers aren't just for comics!
They are your unique strengths and interests.
Everyone has them!
Transition from fictional superpowers to real-life superpowers. Explain that everyone has unique strengths and interests that are their own 'superpowers'.
Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It...
Today, we will:
- Discover your personal strengths.
- Identify your unique interests.
- Start connecting your 'superpowers' to future careers!
Introduce the objective of the lesson: identifying their own superpowers and how they can be used in the future, especially in careers.
Strength-Finding Expedition
What are you good at?
What comes easily to you?
What do your friends or family say you're good at?
Think: listening, problem-solving, creating, organizing, helping, leading...
Begin brainstorming strengths. Prompt students with questions like 'What are you good at?' or 'What do people ask you for help with?'. Write responses on a whiteboard.
Interest-Igniting Journey
What do you love to do?
What subjects or activities make you lose track of time?
What do you enjoy learning about?
Think: animals, art, music, sports, technology, helping others, nature...
Next, brainstorm interests. Ask 'What do you love to do?' or 'What topics excite you?'. Add responses to the board.
Your Personal Inventory
Take a moment to write down 3-5 of your own strengths and interests.
(You'll use these later!)
Give students a moment to jot down their own strengths and interests. Encourage them to be specific.
Strength-Spotting Scenarios
Let's put our superpower detection skills to the test!
We'll look at different situations and figure out which strengths or interests would be most helpful.
Introduce the 'Strength-Spotting Scenarios' activity. Explain that they will read scenarios and identify relevant strengths/interests.
Group Think: Power Up!
Work with your group or partner on the Strength-Spotting Scenarios (Activity).
Discuss: What superpowers are needed here?
(Remember, there's no single 'right' answer!)
Facilitate group work for the activity. Circulate and assist students. Emphasize that there can be multiple correct answers.
Superpowers in the Workplace
How can your strengths and interests become a part of your future career?
Think about different jobs... what 'superpowers' do they need?
Transition to connecting superpowers to careers. Ask students to think about how the strengths discussed could be used in jobs.
Your Passion, Your Path
If you love animals... maybe a vet, zookeeper, or animal shelter worker?
If you're a problem-solver... maybe an engineer, detective, or IT specialist?
What are YOUR ideas?
Provide examples of how interests translate into careers. Encourage students to think broadly.
My Future Superpowers Reflection
Take time to reflect on your discoveries today.
Use the My Future Superpowers Reflection (Journal) to continue your journey of self-discovery.
Introduce the journal reflection as a way to continue thinking about their future. Explain that it's for individual reflection.
You are a Hero!
You have unique strengths and interests that make you amazing!
Keep exploring your superpowers and how they can shape your incredible future!
Conclude the lesson, reiterating the importance of knowing their strengths and interests for future planning.
Activity
Strength-Spotting Scenarios: Unleash Your Inner Hero!
Instructions: Read each scenario below. Discuss with your group or partner: What strengths or interests would be helpful for the person in this situation? Write down your ideas in the space provided. Remember, there can be many good answers!
Scenario 1: The Confused Traveler
Your friend is trying to get to a new part of the city for a job interview, but they are completely lost and getting very stressed. They call you for help.
What superpower (strength or interest) would be helpful here?
Scenario 2: The School Play Set Design
The school is putting on a play, and they need someone to design and build the sets. They want something colorful and creative, but also sturdy and safe.
What superpower (strength or interest) would be helpful here?
Scenario 3: The Broken Computer
Your teacher's computer suddenly stops working right before a big presentation. All the lesson materials are on it, and they are starting to panic.
What superpower (strength or interest) would be helpful here?
Scenario 4: The Community Garden
A group of neighbors wants to start a community garden in an empty lot, but no one knows where to begin. They need someone to help organize the project from start to finish.
What superpower (strength or interest) would be helpful here?
Scenario 5: The Quiet New Student
A new student joins your class, and they seem very shy and quiet. They eat lunch alone every day, and you notice they look a little sad.
What superpower (strength or interest) would be helpful here?
Journal
My Future Superpowers Reflection
Instructions: Think about today's lesson and the strengths and interests you identified. Use this journal to reflect on what you've discovered about yourself and your future.
1. My Top Superpowers
List 3-5 of your strongest strengths (things you are good at) and 3-5 of your biggest interests (things you love to do) that we talked about today.
My Strengths:
My Interests:
2. Superpowers in Action
Choose one of your strengths. Describe a situation where you used this strength, either in school, at home, or with friends. How did it help?
3. Dreaming Up Careers
Think about 2-3 jobs or careers that you believe could use your strengths and interests. Explain why you think your superpowers would be a good fit for these jobs.
-
Job Idea:
How my superpowers fit: -
Job Idea:
How my superpowers fit: -
Job Idea:
How my superpowers fit:
4. One New Thing I Learned
What is one new thing you learned or realized about yourself today regarding your strengths, interests, or future career possibilities?
5. Next Steps for My Superpower Journey
What is one small step you can take this week to explore your strengths or interests further (e.g., talk to someone, try a new activity, research a job)?