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Finish Strong!

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Lesson Plan

Finish Strong Lesson Plan

Students will create a short, realistic plan to improve in one area, fostering self-reflection and goal-setting.

This lesson helps students develop important self-assessment and planning skills. It empowers them to take ownership of their learning and personal growth as they approach the end of the school year, building a sense of accomplishment and readiness for the next grade.

Audience

2nd Grade Students

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Students will be guided through defining realistic goals and action steps, supported by a game and a worksheet.

Materials

Finish Strong Slide Deck, My Action Plan for a Strong Finish, and 'What If?' Scenario Game

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome & Reconnect

3 minutes

  • Begin by greeting students and reconnecting with them about their experiences this school year.
    * Use Slide 1 and Slide 2 to set a positive and reflective tone. Ask students to quickly share one highlight from their year so far.

Step 2

Define 'Actionable Plan'

5 minutes

  • Introduce the concept of an "actionable plan." Explain that it's like a roadmap for reaching a goal.
    * Use Slide 3 to discuss "Realistic Goals." Emphasize that goals should be achievable.
    * Use Slide 4 to talk about "Action Steps" – the small, clear tasks needed to reach the goal. Provide simple examples.
    * Play a quick round of the What If?' Scenario Game to help students think about different challenges and solutions for their goals.

Step 3

Draft a Plan

7 minutes

  • Distribute the My Action Plan for a Strong Finish.
    * Guide students to choose one area they want to improve in before the end of the year (e.g., reading more, helping classmates, completing homework on time).
    * Have them write down their realistic goal and 2-3 specific action steps.
    * Circulate and provide support, helping students make their plans concrete and realistic. Use Slide 5 as a visual aid.

Step 4

Share & Get Feedback

5 minutes

  • Pair students up to share their action plans with a partner.
    * Encourage partners to provide positive and constructive feedback. Ask them: "Is this plan realistic? What's one thing your partner can do to help them achieve it?"
    * Bring the class back together and ask a few volunteers to share their plans and feedback received. Use Slide 6 to summarize the commitment to their plans.
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Slide Deck

Finish Strong!

What's one amazing thing you've learned or done this year?

Greet students warmly. Ask them to think about one highlight from their school year so far. This helps them reconnect and sets a positive tone for reflection.

Your Year, Your Story

Every day is a chance to shine! Let's make the end of the year extra special. What makes you proud so far?

Emphasize that the end of the year is a great time to reflect and make small, positive changes. Encourage them to see their progress.

What's a Realistic Goal?

A goal that you can really achieve! It's not too big, not too small, but just right for you now.

Introduce the idea of a 'realistic goal.' Use simple language. Ask for examples of goals they might have (e.g., tie shoes, read a chapter book). Discuss if these are 'realistic' for them right now.

Action Steps: Your Path to Success

These are the small, clear things you will do to reach your goal. Each step gets you closer!

Explain 'action steps' as the small tasks that lead to a goal. Use an analogy like baking a cake (you need ingredients and steps). Ask students for ideas of action steps for a simple goal, like 'read a new book.'

My Plan: Goal & Steps

  1. What is one thing you want to improve?
  2. What are 2-3 action steps to get there?

Make it real! Make it YOU!

While students are working on their worksheets, display this slide. Remind them to think about both their goal and the specific steps. Circulate and assist as needed.

Commit to Finish Strong!

You have a plan! You are amazing! Let's make the last part of our year the best part!

Conclude by reinforcing their commitment. Ask them to shake hands with their partner as a 'commitment handshake.' Remind them they have the power to 'finish strong.'

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Worksheet

My Action Plan for a Strong Finish

It's almost the end of the school year! Let's think about one way we can finish strong!

My Goal for Improvement

Think about something you want to get better at or try doing more of before the school year ends. It should be a realistic goal – something you can really do!

One area I want to improve in is:











My realistic goal is:











My Action Steps

What are 2-3 small, clear things you will do to reach your goal? These are your steps!

Action Step 1:





Action Step 2:





Action Step 3 (Optional):





My Commitment

I promise to try my best to follow my action plan so I can finish the year strong!





Student Signature: ____________________________ Date: ___________

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Game

'What If?' Scenario Game

Let's play a game to help us think about how to stick to our plans, even when things get tricky!

How to Play:

  1. The teacher will read a 'What If?' scenario.
  2. Think about what you would do to still work towards your goal, even with the challenge.
  3. Share your ideas with a partner or the class.

Scenarios

Scenario 1: What if your goal is to read every night, but one night you are too tired to read a whole book?

  • Possible Solution: You could read just one page, or look at the pictures in a book for a few minutes. Any little bit helps!

Scenario 2: What if your goal is to help a classmate every day, but today everyone seems to be doing fine on their own?

  • Possible Solution: You could offer to help tidy up the classroom, or ask your teacher if there's anything you can do to be helpful. Helping doesn't always have to be with schoolwork!

Scenario 3: What if your goal is to finish your homework right after school, but your friends want you to play right away?

  • Possible Solution: You could tell your friends you'll play after you finish your homework, or ask them to play for a little while and then go home to do your work. Finding a balance is key!

Scenario 4: What if your goal is to keep your desk tidy, but you accidentally spill your crayons all over it?

  • Possible Solution: You could take a deep breath, clean up the crayons right away, and put them back in their box. Accidents happen, but we can fix them quickly!
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