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Fresh Start Fiesta

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Lesson Plan

Fresh Start Fiesta Lesson Plan

Students will reconnect through interactive icebreakers and reflect on personal goals to build a positive classroom community.

Starting the year with structured fun helps 8th graders feel seen, establish connections, and set intentions for success together. Fostering belonging early boosts engagement and motivation.

Audience

8th Grade, Middle School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Icebreaker rotations and reflection prompts

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome & Name Tag Mixer

5 minutes

  • Distribute name tags and markers; students write their name and one summer highlight
  • Play upbeat music while students mingle, exchanging name tags and sharing their highlight with at least two peers
  • On cue, students return to their seats with someone new’s name tag

Step 2

Icebreaker Question Circles

10 minutes

  • Students form two concentric circles facing one another
  • Each pair draws a card from Get-to-Know-You Question Cards
  • Allocate 1 minute each to answer the prompt, then outer circle rotates one seat
  • Repeat until time is called

Step 3

Reflection & Intentions

10 minutes

  • Hand out the Reflection Prompt Sheet
  • Students silently respond to prompts about strengths, hopes, and goals for this year
  • Invite volunteers to share one insight or intention with the whole class

Step 4

Closing Celebration

5 minutes

  • Lead a quick group cheer or clap pattern to celebrate new connections
  • Highlight key themes you heard during sharing
  • Encourage students to revisit their intentions throughout the year
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Slide Deck

Fresh Start Fiesta

Welcome Back, 8th Graders!

Let’s reconnect, build community, and set positive intentions for the year.

Welcome students warmly, introduce yourself, and set a positive tone. Explain that today’s session will help everyone reconnect and set intentions for the year.

Session Overview

Objective:
• Reconnect through fun icebreakers
• Reflect on strengths, hopes, and goals

Agenda (30 min):

  1. Name Tag Mixer (5 min)
  2. Question Circles (10 min)
  3. Reflection & Intentions (10 min)
  4. Closing Celebration (5 min)

Briefly walk through the objective and agenda so students know what to expect.

Welcome & Name Tag Mixer (5 min)

• Distribute name tags & markers
• Write your name + one summer highlight
• Play upbeat music; mingle and exchange tags
• On cue, return to seat with a new friend’s tag

Distribute name tags and markers. Encourage students to write their name and one summer highlight. Play music, have them mingle, then return with someone else’s name tag.

Icebreaker Question Circles (10 min)

• Form two concentric circles
• Each pair draws a card from Get-to-Know-You Question Cards
• Take 1 min each to answer
• Outer circle rotates on cue; repeat

Ask students to form two concentric circles facing each other. Demonstrate a rotation. Monitor time and keep energy high.

Reflection & Intentions (10 min)

• Distribute Reflection Prompt Sheet
• Respond silently: strengths, hopes, goals
• Volunteers share one insight with the class

Hand out the reflection prompt sheet. Give silent think time. Invite volunteers to share one insight or intention.

Closing Celebration (5 min)

• Group cheer or clap pattern
• Highlight shared themes (e.g., collaboration, growth)
• Remind class to revisit their intentions regularly

Lead a brief cheer or clap pattern. Highlight common themes heard. Encourage students to revisit their intentions throughout the year.

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Activity

Get-to-Know-You Question Cards

Below are 12 engaging prompts. Cut them into individual cards and place them in a stack for students to draw during the Icebreaker Question Circles.

  1. What was the highlight of your summer vacation and why?


  2. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?


  3. What’s one book, movie, or TV show you love and would recommend to a friend?


  4. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?


  5. Share a hidden talent or skill you have that most people don’t know about.


  6. Describe your perfect day from morning to night.


  7. What is one goal you have for this school year and why is it important to you?


  8. If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and what would you ask them?


  9. What is your favorite hobby or pastime, and how did you get started?


  10. If you were an animal, which one would you be and why?


  11. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you?


  12. Share one fun or surprising fact about yourself.


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Worksheet

Reflection Prompt Sheet

Please respond thoughtfully to each prompt below. Write your answers in the space provided.

  1. What are three personal strengths or qualities you bring to our class community? Why are these important to you?






  1. What do you hope to learn, experience, or improve upon this school year? Describe what success in this area would look like for you.






  1. Identify one specific goal you have for this year (academic, social, or personal). List at least two concrete steps you will take to achieve this goal.











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Warm Up

Welcome Wave

A quick verbal warm-up to get students energized and attentive.

Time: 3 minutes

Instructions:

  1. Have all students stand in their spots.
  2. On your signal, students perform a big arm wave (like greeting a friend across the room).
  3. Students turn to a neighbor, wave, and greet them by name (“Hello, Jamie!”).
  4. Repeat the wave-and-greet sequence with two more classmates, encouraging enthusiastic voices and eye contact.

Debrief (1 minute):

  • Ask: How did that movement and greeting affect your energy?
  • Transition: Let’s carry that positive energy into our first icebreaker activity!
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Cool Down

Exit Ticket Intentions

As we wrap up our Fresh Start Fiesta, take a moment to solidify your reflections and set a clear intention for next time.

  1. What was the highlight of today’s activities and why?



  1. One intention or goal I want to focus on for our next class is:



  1. One specific action I will commit to this week to work toward my goal is:



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