Lesson Plan
Strength Story Journey
Students will listen to a hero-themed story to recognize character strengths, then identify and share their own strengths through art and peer acknowledgement.
Understanding personal strengths builds self-awareness and confidence, fosters empathy, and creates a positive classroom community by celebrating each child’s unique abilities.
Audience
1st Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Read-aloud, discussion, art, peer feedback
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Open and review the Strengths Spotlight Slides.
- Print or have digital access to the Hero Tales Read-Aloud story.
- Cut or distribute mosaic pieces from the Strengths Mosaic Activity.
- Print and cut individual Strengths Shout-Out Cards.
Step 1
Introduction to Strengths
5 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Strengths Spotlight Slides.
- Ask: “What is a strength?” and collect responses.
- Explain that a strength is something we do well and makes us feel proud.
Step 2
Hero Tales Read-Aloud
8 minutes
- Read the Hero Tales Read-Aloud with expression.
- Pause at key moments to ask: “What strength did this character show?”
- Chart three strengths demonstrated by Riley.
Step 3
Group Discussion
5 minutes
- Return to the slide showing Riley’s strengths on the Strengths Spotlight Slides.
- Invite students to share times they used a similar strength.
- Emphasize that everyone has unique strengths.
Step 4
Strengths Mosaic Activity
8 minutes
- Distribute blank squares from the Strengths Mosaic Activity.
- Ask each student to draw or write one personal strength on their piece.
- Circulate and prompt: “How does this strength help you?”
- Collect pieces to assemble on a bulletin board or poster.
Step 5
Strengths Shout-Out
4 minutes
- Give each student a Strengths Shout-Out Cards.
- Ask them to write a classmate’s name and one strength they admire.
- Invite volunteers to read their shout-outs aloud to the class.
Slide Deck
What’s Your Strength?
Welcome everyone! Today we’re going to learn about strengths—things we do well that make us feel proud.
What Is a Strength?
• A strength is something we do well.
• It makes us feel proud.
• Everyone has different strengths.
Ask: “What is a strength?” Collect answers such as kindness, thinking, drawing, running, etc. Emphasize that strengths can be big or small.
Hero’s Strengths
- Bravery
- Kindness
- Determination
Recall the hero story you just heard. Chart three strengths the main character showed (e.g., bravery, kindness, determination).
Share Your Story
Have you shown bravery, kindness, or determination?
Turn to a partner or raise your hand and share an example!
Invite volunteers to share times they used one of these strengths. Encourage full sentences: “I showed kindness when….”
Create Our Strengths Mosaic
• Take a blank piece from the Strengths Mosaic Activity.
• Draw or write one personal strength on it.
• Return it to the class display.
Explain the mosaic pieces and show where to find them. Circulate to prompt and encourage detail: “How does this strength help you?”
Strengths Shout-Out
• Grab a Strengths Shout-Out Card.
• Write a classmate’s name and one strength you admire.
• Share aloud if you’d like!
Hand out one card to each student. Model filling out a shout-out (e.g., “Emma—your kindness when you share crayons makes me feel happy.”).
Reading
Hero Tales Read-Aloud
Mia was excited to play during recess on the bright, sunny playground. She ran straight to the tall climbing structure where her friend Leo was stuck at the very top.
Even though Mia felt butterflies in her tummy, she climbed up carefully. When she reached Leo, he looked worried and said, “I don’t think I can go down.” Mia took a deep breath and spoke kindly: “I’ll help you, Leo. You can do it!”
First, Mia showed bravery by holding Leo’s hand tightly. She guided him step by step down the ladder.
Then, when another friend tripped and skinned their knee, Mia used her kindness by sitting with them and using a clean tissue from the nurse’s kit. She comforted her friend until they smiled again.
Just as the bell rang, Mia realized her shoelace was untied. She bent down, focused, and tied it neatly all by herself. That was determination in action—she didn’t give up until it was safe.
When the bell rang to return to class, Mia and Leo high-fived and grinned with pride.
What strengths did Mia show?
Activity
Strengths Mosaic Activity
Overview:
Students will design one blank “strength tile” to represent a personal strength. The class will arrange all tiles into a vibrant mosaic display, celebrating each student’s unique ability.
Materials:
- Pre-cut blank square papers or cardstock (one per student)
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- Stickers or stamps (optional)
- Tape or glue
- Bulletin board or large poster paper
Template for Tiles:
Each tile should have:
- A title area at the top for the student’s name.
- A blank space in the center for drawing or writing the strength.
- A decorative border area around the edge.
(Teachers can prepare the squares in advance by cutting 4"×4" or 5"×5" cardstock pieces.)
Steps:
- Distribute Tiles
Give each student one blank square. Remind them of the parts of the template: name, strength space, and border. - Identify a Strength
Ask: “What is something you do really well or makes you feel proud?”
Prompt with examples: kindness, sharing, drawing, listening. - Draw or Write
Students draw a picture or write the word of their strength in the center space.
Circulate to ask, “How does this strength help you or others?” to deepen thinking. - Decorate the Border
Encourage students to use colors, stickers, or stamps around the edge to make their tile stand out. - Assemble the Mosaic
Collect all tiles and organize them on the bulletin board or poster.
Arrange them in rows or a creative shape (heart, sunburst).
Secure each tile with tape or glue to complete the class mosaic.
Reflection Questions:
- How did it feel to share your strength with the class?
- What new strength did you notice from a friend’s tile?
Cool Down
Strengths Shout-Out Exit Ticket
Your Name:
Classmate’s Name:
Strength You Admire:
Why did you notice this strength?