Suitcase Secrets Slides
Suitcase Secrets
Unpacking Your Amazing Strengths
The Big Question
"If you were going on a journey to a new planet and could only pack your inner strengths, what would you bring?"
Turn and talk to a partner: What is one thing you are really good at?
What is a Strength?
Skills
Things you have learned how to do well through practice.
- • Playing an instrument
- • Solving math problems
- • Drawing or painting
Qualities
Parts of your personality that make you who you are.
- • Being a kind friend
- • Never giving up (grit)
- • Having a great imagination
Strength Inspiration
Leader
Funny
Curious
Brave
Creative
Patient
Do any of these sound like you?
Time to Pack!
You're about to receive your own "Strengths Suitcase." Think about the qualities and skills that make you special.
- Label your suitcase with your name.
- Fill the inside with your top 5 strengths.
- Decorate it with "stamps" that show your talents!
Strength Suitcase Activity
Packing My Strengths
What makes you uniquely YOU?
Name: ___________________________
Date: ____________________________
Inside this suitcase, write or draw the things you are proud of! These can be skills (like basketball or math) or qualities (like being kind or brave). Decorate the outside with stamps of your achievements!
My Inventory
Place Stamp Here
Place Stamp Here
Place Stamp Here
Strengths Word Bank
Honest Funny Good Listener Problem Solver Persistent Patient Creative Team Player Athletic
Drawing Prompts
- • A trophy or medal you've won
- • A tool you use for a hobby
- • A symbol that represents you
- • A person who inspires you
Strength Expedition Guide
Strength Expedition Guide
Grade Level: 3rd - 6th | Time: 45-60 Minutes
Lesson Objective
Students will identify at least 5 personal strengths (skills and qualities) and reflect on how these attributes contribute to their self-concept and ability to navigate life's "journeys."
Materials Needed
- Suitcase Secrets Slides
- Strength Suitcase Activity Sheet (1 per student)
- Inner Explorer Journal (1 per student)
- Art supplies (colored pencils, markers, stickers)
Key Concepts
Self-Esteem
Feeling good about who you are and what you can do.
Qualities
Inner character traits (e.g., kindness, honesty).
Skills
Learned abilities (e.g., drawing, reading maps).
SEL Alignment
This lesson aligns with CASEL Core Competencies: Self-Awareness (Identifying personal, cultural, and linguistic assets; recognizing strengths).
Instructional Sequence
1
The Hook: Planet Exploration (5-10 mins)
Use Slide 2 to present the "Planet Journey" scenario. Ask students to share one strength with a partner. Encourage them to think beyond "being good at sports" to include personality traits.
2
Direct Instruction: Skills vs. Qualities (10 mins)
Walk through Slides 3 & 4. Clarify the difference between a skill (practiced) and a quality (inherent/personality). Ask for volunteers to provide more examples of each to build a class word bank.
3
Main Activity: Packing the Suitcase (25 mins)
Distribute the Strength Suitcase Activity Sheet. Students write/draw their strengths in the interior inventory. On the exterior (or the bottom circles), they should design "stamps" for their biggest achievements.
Teacher Tip:
Walk around and help students who might struggle to see their own strengths. Ask: "What do people often come to you for help with?" or "What makes your friends smile when you're around?"
4
Closing & Reflection (10 mins)
Distribute the Inner Explorer Journal. Students respond to the prompt about using their strengths in real-life situations. If time allows, have students share one "stamp" from their suitcase with the class.
Support & Extension
Differentiation
For Younger Students (Gr 3-4):
Provide a list of "Sticker Strengths" (pre-written words) they can cut and paste into their suitcase if writing is a barrier.
For Advanced Students (Gr 5-6):
Challenge them to identify "Developing Strengths"—things they are currently packing but want to get better at.
