About This Lesson
Science shows there are six elements of wellbeing, known as PERMA+: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Mattering, Accomplishment, and +Health, and the beginning of the school year is the perfect time to integrate regular wellbeing check-ins into classroom routines.
By reflecting on each PERMA+ element, students can set meaningful goals and build happiness resources necessary for strengthening their resilience and confidence in achieving lasting positive change.
In this activity, students will help track and celebrate classroom wellbeing by contributing to a monthly PERMA+ Snapshot update that can be shared with families through the school or classroom newsletter, encouraging ongoing community engagement with wellbeing.
Example Newsletter Blurbs:
This Month’s Wellbeing Spotlight: PERMA+ Snapshot
At [School Name], we know that tracking and boosting our collective wellbeing is important for academic success and classroom community building. Each month, our class takes the PERMA+ Snapshot, a quick check-in on six key areas of wellbeing: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Health.
This month, our highest score was Relationships! Students shared that they are feeling connected to friends, teachers, and classmates. We’re proud of how they’ve been supporting one another, celebrating wins, and building a kind, welcoming classroom community.
Want to try it at home?
✔️ Ask your child which PERMA+ element feels strongest for them right now and why.
✔️ Brainstorm one small action you could do together to boost an area that feels lower (maybe plan a family game night to build Positive Emotions or set a shared goal to increase Accomplishment).
✔️ Take your own PERMA+ Snapshot as a family and see what’s going well!
PERMA+ Spotlight: Engagement
This month, our class focused on Engagement—those moments when you’re so absorbed in what you’re doing that you lose track of time. Students shared highlights like getting into the “flow” during art projects, science experiments, and reading time.
Try it at home: Ask your child about a time this week when they felt really focused or excited about something they were doing. You might even make a family list of activities that get everyone “in the zone,” like puzzles, cooking, music, or building projects, and schedule time to do one together!
This Month’s Wellbeing Snapshot: Accomplishment
Our class celebrated Accomplishment as our highest PERMA+ score this month! We’ve seen students set goals, work hard, and take pride in finishing projects big and small.
Family idea: Share one thing you accomplished this week at the dinner table. It can be as simple as making your bed or as big as learning a new skill. Celebrate with a family high-five or cheer!
Growing Together: Positive Emotions
Our PERMA+ Snapshot revealed that our class is feeling lots of Positive Emotions: joy, gratitude, and even awe. We’ve been practicing noticing little moments of happiness each day.
Home connection: Invite your child to share one thing that made them smile today. Create a “Joy Jar” at home to collect these moments and read them together at the end of the month.
Building Connections: Relationships
This month, Relationships topped our PERMA+ Snapshot. Students shared that they feel cared for and supported by their classmates and teachers.
Try this at home: During dinner or on the way to school, ask, “Who helped you feel supported today?” or “Who did you help?” Building strong relationships is one of the most powerful ways to boost happiness.
Here’s what you’ll get:
- Downloadable sample newsletter section ready to customize
- Space to share your class’s highest PERMA+ element each month
- Prompts for teacher comments about engagement, accomplishments, or relationships
- Guidance for putting a PERMA+ spotlight in your class
- Links to the PERMA+ Snapshot Survey for ongoing family check-ins
- Access to a unit study about wellbeing tracking (PERMA+Snapshot)
Why you’ll love this activity:
- The activity is easy to customize in your classroom, home, or community
- You can use this resource as part of a comprehensive, science-based unit study
- The associated free unit study for PERMA+ Snapshot comes with activities, downloadable worksheets, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism
- Strengthens school-to-home connection with simple monthly updates
- Helps students and families see progress and celebrate growth together
- Encourages regular reflection on wellbeing for the whole school community
Ways to Use
- Monthly classroom or school-wide newsletters
- Parent-teacher conference updates or progress reports
- Family engagement emails or digital bulletin boards
- SEL celebrations or school wellbeing initiatives
- Counseling office or administration communication tools
What is PERMA+?
The founder of Positive Psychology, Martin Seligman, explains there are several elements critical to human flourishing: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishments (PERMA+). We believe in the mind-body connection and have added +Health to reflect that physical health is a vital element of wellbeing. By learning the science and skills related to each element, you can take control of your wellbeing and drive your life toward a flourishing future!
Science of PERMA+
People who track their PERMA+ Snapshot are more likely to practice the skills of wellbeing that lead to:
- More resilience in times of challenge & stress
- Higher levels of satisfaction with work & their career
- Deeper and more meaningful relationships
- Increased social support
- Greater meaning in their community & day-to-day lives
- Increased performance and higher achievement
- Better sleep quality
- Less depression and anxiety
Looking for more PERMA+ resources?
Explore the free PERMA+ Snapshot Unit Study, which comes with teaching slides, additional worksheets and activities, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism.Proof Positive's resources are and will always be free. Be well!
Bonus access to full lesson plans and unit studies on the skills of happiness at our Skill Center.
