What Are Character Strengths, and Why Is It Helpful to Focus on Them?

The second semester of our 5th-grade Character Education/Art curriculum is designed as an opportunity for students to reflect on their own character strengths and begin to recognize the strengths of others. As our 5th graders stand on the threshold of adolescence, they are forming a stronger sense of self and becoming increasingly aware of both the similarities and differences between themselves and those around them.

As the phrase “where intention goes, attention flows” reminds us, what we choose to focus on matters. In this work, we intentionally focus on the strengths each student possesses—rather than deficits—and explore how those strengths can be developed further, as well as which new strengths students may wish to cultivate over time.

This exploration begins by asking students to think about who they admire and why. Who is someone they admire in real life? From history? From fiction? Or a well-known figure today? These questions help students uncover the qualities and values that matter most to them. After watching a powerful video on character strengths (linked here), students reflect on what resonated with them and what insights they gained.

One quote in the film that particularly struck students was:

Watch your thoughts, they become words;

Watch your words, they become actions;

Watch your actions, they become habits;

Watch your habits, they become character;

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

In the coming weeks, we will take a closer look at each character strength from the Periodic Table of Character Strengths, discussing what each one means and how it can show up in daily life. Students will then choose a historical figure they admire and create a presentation that includes a brief biography and five character strengths that person demonstrated, along with evidence explaining why. This project allows us to deepen our understanding of history while also revealing what our students value and care about.

From there, we will turn our attention to one another by helping classmates identify their character strengths, and finally, toward the end of the semester, students will reflect on and name a strength of their own. This is a strength they will ultimately share with the school community during our Leavetaking (transition to middle school) ceremony. While that moment may feel far away, we are already planting the seeds for meaningful reflection, growth, and sharing.

I invite families to join us in this conversation at home by noticing and naming character strengths they see in their children and others. Talking together about what you admire in people, both in everyday life and in stories you share, helps reinforce the idea that character is something we can recognize, value, and continue to grow over time.