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What’s Your Superpower?

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Kelsey Fung

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Hero Strength Mapping

Help the student identify moments of success (“exceptions”) and map these successes to personal strengths, boosting confidence and self-belief through interactive, strengths-based activities.

By focusing on when problems didn’t occur, the student recognizes their own skills and talents, fostering hope, resilience, and a positive self-view essential for emotional growth.

Audience

1st Grade Student

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Solution-focused, strength-mapping, reflective activities.

Materials

  • My Hidden Powers, - Counselor Prompt Guide, - Strength Card Sorting, and - My Superpower Story

Prep

Setup & Review

5 minutes

  • Review session flow in Hero Strength Mapping
  • Preview and test slides in My Hidden Powers
  • Familiarize with questions in Counselor Prompt Guide
  • Print or assemble Strength Card Sorting cards
  • Have My Superpower Story ready

Step 1

Warm-Up & Rapport

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and establish a relaxed space
  • Display slide 1 in My Hidden Powers with friendly visuals
  • Ask a simple icebreaker: “What was something fun you did recently?”
  • Validate the student’s response and transition to strengths talk

Step 2

Explore Exceptions

10 minutes

  • Introduce the idea: “Exceptions are times things went well”
  • Use prompts from Counselor Prompt Guide: “Can you tell me about a time you felt proud?”
  • Listen and note the skills described (e.g., sharing, solving problems)
  • Reflect back: “So you’re really good at [student’s skill]!”

Step 3

Strength Card Sorting

8 minutes

  • Lay out Strength Card Sorting cards face-up
  • Invite the student to choose cards that describe them
  • Ask: “Why did you pick this one?” and discuss the examples
  • Help the student identify their top 3 strengths

Step 4

Superpower Story Reflection

7 minutes

  • Give the student My Superpower Story
  • Ask them to draw or write a short story using their top strength as a superpower
  • Offer guiding questions from Counselor Prompt Guide
  • Have the student share their story and praise their unique superpower
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Slide Deck

My Hidden Powers

Let’s find out what makes you awesome!

Welcome the student warmly. Introduce today’s session: “We’re going to find your hidden powers!” Point to the colorful images and set a fun tone. Use this slide as an icebreaker.

What Are Strengths?

Strengths are things you do really well or make you special!

Explain what a strength is in simple terms. Show examples: “being kind, solving puzzles, sharing.” Ask: “What’s something you’re really good at?”

Exceptions

Exceptions are times when things went really well. Can you think of one?

Introduce the idea of exceptions. Reference the Counselor Prompt Guide for question prompts. Ask: “Can you think of a time things went really well?”

Share Your Success

Tell me about a time you felt proud or happy.

Invite the student to share a success story. Use prompts: “What happened? How did you feel? What did you do?” Reflect back the strength you hear.

Choose Your Cards

Pick the cards that match your strengths.

Introduce the Strength Card Sorting. Lay out the cards and ask the student to pick cards that describe them. Discuss each choice.

Draw Your Superpower Story

Use your top strength to draw a superhero story!

Hand out the My Superpower Story. Ask the student to draw or write a short story using their top strength as a superpower. Offer guiding questions as needed.

You Are a Hero!

Great job! You have amazing powers!

Praise the student’s work and recap their superpowers. Encourage them to remember these strengths when they need confidence. Close with positive affirmation.

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Script

Counselor Prompt Guide

Warm-Up & Icebreaker

“Hello there! I’m so happy to see you today. How are you feeling right now?”


“Tell me about something fun you did recently. Maybe at recess or at home?”

Validate & Transition to Strengths

“That sounds super fun! I love that you got to [repeat the student’s activity].”


“Today, we’re going to find your hidden superpowers! These are the special things you do really, really well.”

Exception Exploration Prompts

“An exception is a time when things went really well, even if something felt tricky. Can you think of a time when you felt really proud of yourself?”


If the student hesitates, try:

  • “What’s one thing you did that made you smile or feel happy?”
  • “Maybe a time you helped a friend or finished a hard task?”

When the student shares, ask:

  • “What happened? Can you tell me step by step?”
  • “How did you know you were doing a good job?”
  • “What did you do that made it turn out so well?”
  • “How did you feel in your heart when it worked out?”

Affirming the Strength

“Wow, that sounds amazing! You were really good at [student’s skill].”


“That is a wonderful superpower!”

Strength Card Sorting Prompts

(Show the Strength Card Sorting cards.)

  • “Here are some cards showing different superpowers. Let’s lay them out and pick the ones that describe you.”
  • After a choice: “Why did you pick this card?”
  • “Can you tell me a time you used this superpower?”
  • “Which three cards feel like your very best superpowers?”

Superpower Story Prompts

(Hand over the My Superpower Story.)

  • “Now it’s your turn! Draw or write a short story about your superpower in action.”
  • “What does your hero look like?”
  • “What challenge does your hero face?”
  • “How do you use your superpower to help?”
  • “How do you feel at the end of your story?”

Encouragement & Wrap-Up

“Great job today finding your superpowers! Remember, you can use these strengths anytime you need confidence.”


“I’m so proud of you, superhero! You are amazing.”

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Activity

Strength Card Sorting

Objective: Help the student recognize and name personal strengths by choosing and sorting illustrated strength cards.

Materials:

  • Printable strength cards (icons + words)
  • Sorting mat or two labeled areas: “My Superpower!” and “Maybe Later”

Preparation:

  • Print and cut out cards ahead of time.
  • Place cards face-up and set out the sorting mat.

Instructions:

  1. Introduce the Cards

    “Here are some cards with different superpowers—like kindness or problem solving. Let’s look at them!”

  2. Pick and Sort




    • Invite the student to browse all cards.
    • Ask: “Which cards feel like your special powers?”
    • Have them place chosen cards in My Superpower! and the rest in Maybe Later.
  3. Discuss Choices

    For each card in My Superpower!, ask:




    • “Why did you pick this one?”
    • “Can you tell me a time you used this power?”
  4. Select Top Three

    “Which three cards feel like your very best superpowers?” Help the student pick and set aside their top three.
  5. Reflect Together

    “Look at your top three. These are your amazing strengths! How do you think they help you every day?”





Strength Cards Include (but are not limited to):

  • Kindness
  • Sharing
  • Listening
  • Helping
  • Bravery
  • Creativity
  • Problem Solving
  • Patience
  • Friendliness

When finished, save the top three cards to use in My Superpower Story.

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Journal

My Superpower Story

Use your top three cards from Strength Card Sorting to guide your work below.

1. Draw Your Superhero

Draw a picture of your hero using your special strengths!











2. Tell Your Story

a. What is your hero’s name?


b. What challenge does your hero face?







c. How does your hero use their superpowers (your strengths) to help?











d. How does your hero feel when the story ends?







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