Strengths and Abilities

Year Level

Year 5 (Australia)

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

6 students

Unit

Building Personal Awareness
Lesson 2 of 10

Lesson Title

Strengths and Abilities: What Makes Me Unique?

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Australian Curriculum Links — Personal and Social Capability (Years 5-6)

• Self-awareness: Recognise personal qualities and achievements, and understand how these contribute to identity (AC9HP6P01 - Health and Physical Education) .
• Social awareness: Recognise respect and empathy, and how expressing these influences relationships positively (AC9HP6P04 - Health and Physical Education) .
• Confidence and disposition: Develop confidence in expressing opinions and participating in peer feedback (AC9L1AU6C01 - Languages, Auslan student capabilities as a guide to expressive communication and feedback) .
• Identity and self-concept: Explain how identity is influenced by personal characteristics, abilities, and strengths (Health and Physical Education; Languages contexts) .

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify and articulate at least three personal strengths or abilities that contribute to what makes them unique.
2. Create a 'Strengths Profile' that visually represents their personal skills, talents, and abilities.
3. Provide and receive constructive peer feedback with respect and empathy.
4. Reflect on how recognising personal strengths contributes to their confidence and self-awareness.

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Lesson Overview

Time	Activity	Description
0-10 mins	Introduction and Warm-up	Brief group discussion about uniqueness and strengths. Share examples of strengths.
10-25 mins	Strengths Brainstorm and Self-Reflection	Students brainstorm and list personal strengths and abilities; followed by reflection.
25-45 mins	Strengths Profile Creation	Hands-on activity: create a personalized strengths profile (art + writing).
45-55 mins	Peer Feedback and Sharing	Students exchange profiles and provide positive peer feedback using sentence starters.
55-60 mins	Reflection and Wrap-up	Whole class reflection on learning and confidence-building from the activity.

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Detailed Lesson Plan

0-10 mins: Introduction and Warm-up

• Start with a brief conversation: "What makes you unique or special?"
• Teacher models by sharing their own strengths and abilities.
• Guide students to recognise diversity in strengths (e.g., creativity, kindness, problem-solving, sport skills).
• Discuss how everyone has unique skills that contribute to who they are.

10-25 mins: Strengths Brainstorm and Self-Reflection

• Provide each student with a worksheet titled "My Strengths Brainstorm."
• Prompts on worksheet include:
  • What are three things I am good at?
  • What do others often ask me to help with?
  • What makes me proud of myself?
  • What activities make me feel happy and confident?
• Students write or draw their answers.
• Circulate, support students with prompts or examples.
• Encourage thinking broadly beyond academic skills—include social/emotional and physical strengths.

25-45 mins: Strengths Profile Creation

• Students create a colourful 'Strengths Profile' poster/card using paper, markers, coloured pencils.
• Include sections:
  • Name and a self-portrait or symbol representing themselves.
  • List of strengths with illustrations or examples.
  • A short positive affirmation statement (e.g., "I am a good friend," "I am creative with my ideas").
• For further engagement, students can add decorative elements that express their personality.

45-55 mins: Peer Feedback and Sharing

• Students pair up or form a small group.
• Each student shares their Strengths Profile.
• Peers give positive feedback based on sentence stems:
  • "I really like how you..."
  • "One strength I noticed is..."
  • "Your profile shows that you are good at..."
• This encourages respectful communication and empathy aligned with the capabilities in the curriculum.

55-60 mins: Reflection and Wrap-up

• Gather as a class for reflection.
• Guiding questions:
  • How did it feel to share your strengths and receive feedback?
  • Why is it important to know what makes you unique?
  • How can recognising your strengths help you in school and life?
• Re-emphasise the value of all types of strengths.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through observation of participation in brainstorming, profile creation, and peer feedback.
• Evaluate the 'Strengths Profile' for evidence that students:
  • Identify multiple personal strengths.
  • Express self-awareness and confidence.
  • Demonstrate respectful communication in peer feedback.

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Resources

• "My Strengths Brainstorm" worksheet.
• A3 or large paper for 'Strengths Profile'.
• Coloured markers, pencils, crayons.
• Example (teacher model) Strengths Profile to guide students.

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Teacher Notes / Tips

• Recognise varying levels of student confidence; provide additional support where needed.
• Encourage inclusion of cultural and community strengths where appropriate.
• Link this lesson to ongoing learning in the unit "Building Personal Awareness" to build self-esteem and positive identity over time.
• Use inclusive language reflecting diverse identities, supporting students’ sense of belonging and well-being.

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This lesson plan is designed to encourage Year 5 students to build personal awareness through recognising their unique strengths, leveraging Health and Physical Education curriculum personal and social capabilities, and extending communication skills as outlined by the Australian Curriculum (v9) standards relevant to this age group and context . It fosters social and emotional learning in an engaging, supportive environment, tailored for small groups to maximise participation and confidence building.