Teach Character Strengths Toolkit (Years 7-10)

Explore the intersection of positive psychology and autism intervention by teaching your students how to capitalise on their character strengths! This comprehensive bundle comes with everything you need to bring Character Strengths into the classroom, from teaching slides and notes to supplementary resources.

Author/ source: Proof Positive Autism Wellbeing Alliance

Teach Character Strengths Toolkit (Years 7-10)

Format: Classroom lesson plan | Duration: 3-4 hours | Target audience: Secondary students (Years 7–10)

Objective

Proof Positive's "Teach Character Strengths" page is a free, ready-to-use classroom toolkit designed to help educators introduce the 24 VIA Character Strengths to their students and embed strengths-based practice into everyday teaching.

1. Students learn to receptively and expressively identify their Signature Strengths.
2. Students learn to sort behaviors into “too much,” “too little,” and/or “just right” for each of their signature strengths.
3. Students identify activities they enjoy based on their strengths profile.

The resource includes a comprehensive unit study bundle with teaching slides, teacher notes, a teacher's guide, answer keys, supplementary activities such as Strengths BINGO, and differentiated classroom activities pitched at varying skill levels - beginning with an introductory 100–120 minute lesson on character strengths.

Beyond the core lesson materials, the page offers practical strategies for weaving strengths language into existing routines, such as identifying character strengths in historical figures during humanities lessons or closing physical education (PE) classes by reflecting on the strengths students drew on during activity. It also extends to behaviour support, with guidance on integrating wellbeing and signature-strengths goals into Behaviour Intervention Plans (BIPs) and sample IEP-style (Individualised Education Plans) objectives for students to identify and apply their strengths across home, school and community settings.

While the materials are inclusive of neurodiverse learners and students with autism, the approach is universal, making it a useful starting point for school leaders looking to introduce a positive psychology framework across whole-school wellbeing, social emotional learning (SEL) or pastoral programs.

Activity 1: An Introduction to Character Strengths / 100-120 minutes
Activity 2: Character Strengths Deep Dive / 30-45 minutes
Activity 3: Strengths in Action / 30-45 minutes
Activity 4: Strengths Superhero Project / 20-30 minutes
Activity 5: Strengths Scavenger Hunt / 20-30 minutes
Activity 6: Strengths and Interests Reflection / 20-30 minutes