Classroom Activity: Celebrating Our Strengths
Purpose:
To help students recognise and appreciate their own strengths and the strengths they notice in their classmates, supporting positive classroom relationships and a strengths-based mindset.
Resources Needed:
Strengths Cards (one set for the class or small groups)
Strengths Poster displayed in the room or projected on the board
One envelope per student, labelled with their name
Small blank notes or slips of paper
Pens or pencils
Activity Steps
Warm-Up Discussion (2–3 mins)
Begin by exploring what a strength is. Use the Strengths Poster to introduce or review the different strengths. Encourage students to think about strengths as qualities we use to help ourselves and others.
Explore the Strengths (5 mins)
Show students the Strengths Cards and read through a few examples together. Invite them to think about times they’ve seen classmates show strengths such as kindness, persistence, creativity, teamwork, or humour.
Set Up the Envelopes (1 min)
Give each student an envelope with their name on it. Explain that they will receive positive notes from their classmates about the strengths others see in them.
Strengths Brainstorm (5–10 mins)
Ask students to think carefully about each classmate and choose one strength that person shows. Using the Strengths Poster and Cards as ideas, they write a short note—for example:
“Luca, I’ve seen your teamwork during group projects.”
“Ava, your creativity shines in art class.”For younger students, they can just write down the name of the strength they think their classmate shows.
Strengths Delivery Walk (3–5 mins)
Students walk around the room and place each note into the correct envelope. Remind them to write one for every class member, including the teacher.
Reflection (5 mins)
Once all notes have been delivered, students open their envelopes and silently read the strengths noticed by their peers. Invite them to reflect on:
Which strengths surprised them?
Which strengths they feel proud of?
How recognising strengths can support a positive classroom environment.
Optional Extension
Have students choose one strength they’d like to build further and set a simple goal, such as:
“I will practise persistence by finishing my writing task before moving on.”