About This Lesson
Now more than ever, we need meaningful connections with others. Teaching students how to recognize and celebrate positivity is essential for building strong relationships and fostering wellbeing.
Showcase the Good is an evidence-informed skill in which students learn how to respond to others’ good news and success in a way that deepens connection and spreads joy. You can teach students how to be joy multipliers by amplifying and supporting each other’s wins.
In partners or small groups, students will choose or receive a good news prompt (e.g., "I got an A on my test!") and take turns responding to good news using scripted dialogue. By practicing responding in different ways, they will identify which responses feel the most positive and encouraging. This structured practice helps reinforce Active Constructive Responding—the most supportive and engaging way to celebrate someone’s success.
Here’s what you’ll get:
- Printable worksheet
- Instructions for implementing the activity
- Access to a unit study about responding to good news
Why you’ll love this activity:
- The activity is easy to customize in your classroom or at home
- You can use this resource as part of a comprehensive, science-based unit study
- The associated free unit study for Showcase the Good comes with activities, downloadable worksheets, and even IEP and BIP recommendations tailored specifically to students with autism
- Encourages emotional literacy and growth in social-emotional learning (SEL)
Ways to Use
- Incorporate into SEL curriculum
- Integrate into small groups and/or individual counseling sessions
- Use as a brain break to help with transitions
- Families can use this at home, too!
What is Showcase the Good?
When we experience something positive, our natural instinct is to share it! This process, known as capitalization, allows us to savor good moments—but the way others respond makes all the difference. Studies show that when we experience something positive, our first instinct is to share it. But how others respond can either strengthen or strain our relationships. Researcher Shelly Gable identified four response styles to good news–only one truly builds connection: leaning in, asking engaging questions, and amplifying others' joy.
Science of Showcase the Good
The science is clear — only 1 of 4 response styles strengthens relationships and benefits wellbeing. Active Constructive responding, otherwise known as Showcasing the Good, is the only response style that boosts wellbeing, trust, intimacy, social connections and positive affect. Passive Destructive, Passive Constructive, and Active Destructive all deteriorate relationships and wellbeing. There are also individual differences in how response styles are interpreted. For instance, individuals who are not securely attached might not recognize or interpret responses in the same way as those who are securely attached. The science is not as clear on the right “dose” of Showcasing the Good for long-term benefits.
People who regularly give and receive Active Constructive Responses to good news are more likely to experience:
- Increased wellbeing
- Stronger memories of positive events
- Increased positive affect
- Increased trust
- Stronger social connections
Learn more about the science behind Showcase the Good.
Looking for more Showcase the Good Resources?
- Explore the free Showcase the Good 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
