Discovering Strengths Together

Overview

This 40-minute session is designed for Year 3 students to introduce the teacher through sharing favourite things and to explore personal strengths and abilities. The lesson will involve interactive discussions and a partner game ("Two Truths and a Lie") centred on strengths, helping pupils develop self-awareness and social skills aligned with the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE).

Curriculum for Excellence Links

Health and Wellbeing (HWB 2-02a): Demonstrate an awareness of own strengths as a learner and how these can help in new and challenging situations.
Health and Wellbeing (HWB 2-03a): Recognise and describe positive aspects of themselves and others, appreciating individual diversity.
Literacy and English (LIT 2-09a): Use talk to explore and organise ideas, clarify thinking, and communicate clearly in different contexts.
Literacy and English (LIT 2-01a): Participate in conversations and discussions, taking turns and listening actively.

WALT (We Are Learning To)

Share our favourite things to build positive relationships.
Identify and describe our own strengths and abilities.
Practise communicating clearly and listening respectfully.
Play a fun partner game to learn about each other’s strengths.

Success Criteria

I can talk about my favourite things confidently.
I can name at least two of my own strengths or abilities.
I can listen carefully and ask questions about my partner's strengths.
I can play "Two Truths and a Lie" with my partner and guess honestly.
I show respect and kindness when others share.

Resources

Large sticky notes or whiteboard for the teacher’s favourite things.
Small cards or paper for students’ favourite things and strengths.
Visual prompts with simple sentence starters about strengths (dyslexia-friendly font: OpenDyslexic, large print).
Timer or stopwatch.
Quiet classroom space for pair work.

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction & Teacher Sharing (8 minutes)

Activity: Teacher introduces themselves by sharing 3 favourite things (e.g., favourite book, hobby, animal), writing them visibly on the board.
CfE link: HWB 2-03a - Model openness and self-awareness.
Briefly explain the idea of “strengths and abilities” in simple terms.
Use dyslexia-friendly sentences with visuals (e.g. “I am good at drawing,” “I am a good friend”).

2. Student Sharing: Favourite Things (8 minutes)

Activity: Each student shares one favourite thing with a partner and writes/draws it on a card.
Pair feedback: Partners listen and ask a question to each other (e.g., “Why is that your favourite?”).
Differentiation: Support pupils who struggle with speech by allowing drawings or single words.

3. Exploring Strengths and Abilities (10 minutes)

Group brainstorming: What are strengths and abilities? Record student responses on the board.
Provide sentence starters: “I am good at…”, “My strength is…”, “I can…”.
Each student writes/draws two strengths on their card.
Extension: Advanced learners write or tell an additional strength and explain why.
Dyslexia-friendly: Sentence starters printed on coloured cards with picture cues.

4. Game: Two Truths and a Lie (10 minutes)

Pairs take turns reading three statements about their strengths/abilities: two true, one false.
Partners guess which is the lie and discuss.
Teacher monitors, offering prompts and positive feedback.
Differentiation: Allow oral-only statements or use visual support.
Extension: Encourage pupils to invent creative strengths (imaginative but plausible).

5. Plenary & Reflection (4 minutes)

Group reflection: How did it feel to share strengths? Why is it good to know our abilities?
Teacher summarizes key points from the Lesson WALT and Success Criteria.
Positive reinforcement for respectful listening and sharing.
Quick thumbs-up/thumbs-down: Did you enjoy learning about your partner?

Differentiation Strategies

Pair higher ability pupils with those who need extra support to model confident sharing.
Use visual and sentence support for pupils with literacy or speech difficulties.
Allow drawings or use voice recorders for pupils who find writing challenging.
Break instructions down into clear steps and check understanding often.

Extension Activities

Create a personal strengths “passport” booklet for pupils to add to throughout the year.
Encourage pupils to illustrate a self-portrait showing their favourite things and strengths.
Role-play scenarios where pupils use their strengths to solve simple problems or help friends.

Assessment

Formative: Teacher observes partner conversations, noting confidence in speaking and listening.
Use exit questioning: Each pupil names one strength they learned about their partner.
Self-assessment check: Pupils tick off checklist of success criteria.

This lesson not only builds community and communication skills but also enhances self-esteem and reflective thinking in line with the CfE’s focus on personal and social development.

Teaching Instructions