Prime Instructional Strategy – Character Strength Cards

There are multiple pathways to follow in creating and using character strength cards in your classroom. A starter set could be your definition cards that you purchase or create for instructional use. You could also do a set on ways to “exercise” the strengths. Another approach is over time to have students make their thinking visible for each strength by creating their own cards. They could draw a picture of the strength on one side and on the other side write their definition and examples of application. The Institute of Positive Education provides cards with activities that students can try.

One whole class integration strategy is to state that it is time to engage the strength of proactivity as a class when planning is needed for upcoming activities, events, etc. The teacher can use digital or physical character strength cards for the class to review to choose which ones they will need to engage in the upcoming activity/event.

An example could be in planning for a field trip. Students could share their thoughts visualizing what the field trip will involve from being together on the bus to meeting guides at the site to asking asking questions to having their lunch packed… So besides being proactive and taking personal responsibility for one’s behavior, the students can list several character strengths that they will need to engage individually and as a class. 🙂

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