• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Last Circle Connection

Marah

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Last Circle Connection Lesson Plan

Facilitate a structured final circle session where 7th graders reflect on their growth, share insights, and complete meaningful check-out responses to foster closure and peer connection.

This closing circle empowers students to acknowledge personal and group progress, practice empathy and active listening, and leave with a sense of accomplishment and belonging, reinforcing social-emotional skills.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Structured discussions with prompts and check-out questions.

Materials

  • Check-Out Questions Sheet, - Warm-Up Prompt Cards, and - Talking Piece (e.g., small object)

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Review the session flow and timing.
  • Print copies of Check-Out Questions Sheet for each student.
  • Prepare Warm-Up Prompt Cards.
  • Select a talking piece (e.g., a small object) to manage sharing turns.

Step 1

Warm-Up Activity

5 minutes

  • Arrange students in a circle.
  • Introduce Warm-Up Prompt Cards.
  • Each student draws a card, reads the prompt aloud, and shares a brief response.
  • Encourage open body language and lighthearted engagement.

Step 2

Welcome & Overview

2 minutes

  • Greet students and re-establish circle norms: respect, confidentiality, and listening.
  • Explain the purpose of this final session and outline the agenda.

Step 3

Guided Reflection Discussion

15 minutes

  • Pose open-ended prompts about group experiences (e.g., “What achievement are you most proud of?”).
  • Use the talking piece to manage turns: only the holder speaks.
  • Encourage active listening: reflect or validate peers’ shares.
  • Offer 2–3 additional prompts about personal growth, challenges, and peer support.

Step 4

Meaningful Check-Out

6 minutes

  • Distribute Check-Out Questions Sheet.
  • Invite each student, holding the talking piece, to select and answer one question.
  • Emphasize honest, concise responses and attentive listening.

Step 5

Closing & Farewell

2 minutes

  • Summarize key insights shared during the session.
  • Invite a one-word appreciation round to describe the group’s journey.
  • Thank students for their participation and formally close the circle.
lenny

Slide Deck

Last Circle Connection

A 30-minute closing circle for 7th Grade Tier 2

Today’s Flow:
• Warm-Up
• Reflection
• Check-Out
• Farewell

Welcome students and introduce the final session. Mention the gradient-themed background reflecting our journey together. Briefly preview each stage: Warm-Up, Norms & Overview, Reflection, Check-Out, and Closing.

Warm-Up Activity

  1. Arrange in a circle.
  2. Each student draws a card from Warm-Up Prompt Cards.
  3. Read the prompt aloud and share one brief response.
  4. Encourage open body language and a lighthearted tone.

Guide students into the circle formation. Hold up a sample Warm-Up Prompt Card and model how to draw and read a card.

Circle Norms & Overview

Norms:
• Respect each speaker
• Confidentiality
• Listen actively

Agenda (30 min):
• Warm-Up – 5 min
• Reflection – 15 min
• Check-Out – 6 min
• Closing – 2 min

Re-establish norms: ask students to repeat each. Walk through the agenda, pointing to timings. Emphasize respect and confidentiality.

Guided Reflection Discussion

Use a talking piece to take turns and listen actively.

Reflection Prompts (choose 2–3):
• What achievement are you most proud of?
• What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
• How did your group members support you?
• What is one skill you’ll carry forward?

Explain the talking piece: only the holder speaks. Read each reflection prompt aloud, pausing between them. Validate responses and encourage peer support.

Meaningful Check-Out

  1. Distribute the Check-Out Questions Sheet.
  2. Holding the talking piece, each student chooses one question.
  3. Share a concise, honest answer while others listen.

Hand out the Check-Out Questions Sheet. Model picking and answering one question yourself. Encourage concise, honest responses.

Closing & Farewell

• Key Insights: ______________________
• One-Word Appreciation: Describe our journey in one word.

Thank you for sharing and growing together!

Summarize 2–3 highlights from the session. Invite each student to say one word of appreciation. Close with gratitude.

lenny

Warm Up

Warm-Up Prompt Cards

Use these prompt cards to kick off your last circle session on a light, engaging note. Print, cut out, and shuffle the cards so each student draws one to share.

Prompts:

  1. Share one word that describes how you feel right now.



  2. What’s one fun thing you did over the weekend?



  3. If our group were an animal today, what would it be and why?






  4. What’s your favorite emoji and what does it mean to you?



  5. Describe yourself using only a color. Why that color?






  6. What’s one thing you appreciate about someone here?






  7. If you could pick a theme song for our group, what would it be?



  8. What’s one goal you have for today’s session?



  9. Share a quick joke or riddle to make us laugh.






  10. What’s one thing you’re excited about this spring/this year?



  11. What’s your favorite way to relax after school?






  12. Name something new you learned while being in this circle.



lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Check-Out Questions Sheet

Distribute this sheet during the “Meaningful Check-Out” phase. Each student holding the talking piece selects one question to answer and writes their response below. Be honest, concise, and listen actively to your peers.

  1. What achievement from our circle experience are you most proud of?






  2. How has someone in this group supported you, and what did that support mean to you?






  3. Describe a challenge you overcame during our sessions. How did it change you?






  4. What new skill or insight will you carry forward beyond this circle?






  5. In what ways have you grown or changed since our first meeting?






  6. What is one thing you appreciate about the dynamic or atmosphere of our group?






  7. Looking ahead, what is one goal you have for yourself, and how will you work toward it?






  8. Choose one word to describe our group’s journey together. Why did you pick that word?






lenny
lenny