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Looking Back, Leaping Forward

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Lesson Plan

Looking Back, Leaping Forward

Students will reflect on their 3rd grade accomplishments and set personal goals for 4th grade through a fun, collaborative chart activity and individual journaling.

This lesson boosts self-awareness, celebrates past successes, and builds optimism by helping students recognize growth and envision their future goals.

Audience

3rd Grade Elementary Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive group work and personal reflection.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Celebrate & Share

5 minutes

  • Invite students to recall a proud moment from 3rd grade.
  • Distribute one sticky note per student; have them write or draw their highlight.
  • Students place notes on the chart paper and briefly share with a partner or the class.

Step 2

Main Activity: Group Goal Mapping

15 minutes

  • Present the Looking Back Year-in-Review Slides summarizing fun 3rd grade milestones.
  • Divide students into small groups of 3–4.
  • Give each group a section of chart paper and markers.
  • Groups brainstorm 3 hopes or goals for 4th grade; they write or illustrate these on their paper.
  • Conduct a gallery walk: groups rotate to view each other’s goal maps and leave encouraging sticky-note comments.

Step 3

Individual Reflection Journal

7 minutes

  • Hand out the Reflection Journal Template.
  • Prompt students to write two things they did well this year and two goals they have for next year.
  • Encourage them to add drawings or colors to personalize their entries.

Step 4

Cool-Down: Share & Cheer

3 minutes

  • Invite 2–3 volunteers to read aloud one reflection or goal from their journal.
  • Class gives each reader a round of applause or high-fives.
  • Close by affirming everyone’s growth mindset as they leap into 4th grade!
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Slide Deck

Looking Back Year-in-Review

Let's celebrate everything you accomplished in 3rd grade and dream about 4th grade!

Welcome everyone! Today we're celebrating all your amazing 3rd grade moments and getting excited about 4th grade. Introduce the purpose of the lesson and build enthusiasm.

Fun 3rd Grade Highlights

  • Science Fair Projects
  • Math Monsters Game Sessions
  • Field Trip to the Zoo
  • Reading Buddies Program
  • Class Art Exhibition

Read each milestone aloud. Ask students to raise hands or call out if they remember participating. Create excitement by recalling fun details.

Warm-Up: Celebrate & Share

  1. Think of one proud moment from 3rd grade.
  2. Write or draw it on a sticky note.
  3. Place it on our large chart paper and share with a partner.

Prompt students to think silently for a moment. Hand out sticky notes. Give 2–3 minutes for writing/drawing, then guide sharing.

Group Goal Mapping

• In your group, brainstorm 3 hopes or goals for 4th grade.
• Write or illustrate each goal on your chart paper.
• Be creative and supportive of each other’s ideas.

Divide the class into groups of 3–4. Distribute chart paper and markers. Set a timer for 15 minutes and circulate to support ideas.

Gallery Walk

  1. Rotate to view each group’s goals.
  2. Read what your classmates wrote.
  3. Leave an encouraging sticky-note comment on their paper.

Explain the rotation process. Encourage positive, specific feedback. Monitor students as they move and leave notes.

Individual Reflection Journal

In your journal:

  • Write two things you did well in 3rd grade.
  • Write two goals you have for 4th grade.
  • Add drawings or colors to personalize your entries.

Distribute the Reflection Journal Template. Encourage quiet focus. Offer sentence starters if needed (e.g., “I was proud of…”, “Next year I hope to…”).

Leaping into 4th Grade!

Great job, everyone!
You’re ready for new adventures and learning.
Keep your growth mindset strong!

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one reflection or goal. Lead the class in applause and high-fives. Reinforce growth mindset as they head into 4th grade.

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Journal

Reflection Journal

(Feel free to decorate with colors or stickers!)

Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

Page 1: Celebrating Your 3rd Grade Year

  1. Something I’m really proud I did this year:










  2. My favorite memory from 3rd grade:














  3. Draw a picture of your favorite 3rd grade moment below:




















Page 2: Leaping Into 4th Grade

  1. A new goal I have for 4th grade is:










  2. Something new I’d like to learn or try in 4th grade:












  3. Draw a picture of what you imagine your 4th grade experience will look like:





















Great job! Keep this journal to look back on your dreams and achievements next year!

lenny
lenny