Lesson Plan
My New Year's Spark!
To guide a 2nd-grade student in reflecting on their social-emotional growth from the past year and setting achievable, positive social-emotional goals for the new year.
This lesson helps students develop self-awareness, practice gratitude, and build self-efficacy by setting personal goals. It promotes a positive mindset and emotional regulation skills.
Audience
2nd Grade Student
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through guided reflection and goal-setting activities.
Materials
- My New Year's Spark! Slide Deck, - My New Year's Spark! Journal, - Teacher Script: My New Year's Spark!, and - Pencils or crayons
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the My New Year's Spark! Lesson Plan, My New Year's Spark! Slide Deck, My New Year's Spark! Journal, and Teacher Script: My New Year's Spark! to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
- Print a copy of the My New Year's Spark! Journal for the student.
- Gather pencils or crayons for the student.
Step 1
Warm-up & Introduction
5 minutes
- Begin by greeting the student warmly and explaining the activity for the day. (Refer to Teacher Script: My New Year's Spark! for guidance).
- Introduce the idea of a 'New Year' as a time for new beginnings and reflection.
- Display the first slide of the My New Year's Spark! Slide Deck.
Step 2
Reflecting on Last Year
10 minutes
- Guide the student through the reflection questions in their My New Year's Spark! Journal about positive feelings and moments from the past year. (Utilize slides 2-3 of the My New Year's Spark! Slide Deck and the Teacher Script: My New Year's Spark!).
- Encourage the student to draw or write their responses, focusing on social-emotional aspects like kindness, overcoming challenges, or helping others.
- Offer prompts and supportive comments as they reflect.
Step 3
Setting New Year Goals
10 minutes
- Transition to thinking about the new year. Discuss what 'spark' they want to bring into the new year. (Refer to slide 4 of the My New Year's Spark! Slide Deck).
- Help the student set one or two simple, positive social-emotional goals for the new year in their My New Year's Spark! Journal. Examples: 'I will be a good listener,' 'I will try new things,' 'I will use kind words.'
- Emphasize that these goals are about personal growth and trying their best.
Step 4
Sharing & Affirmation
5 minutes
- Invite the student to share one reflection or goal they are proud of or excited about. (Refer to slide 5 of the My New Year's Spark! Slide Deck).
- Offer positive reinforcement and praise for their thoughtful reflections and goals.
- Conclude by affirming their efforts and wishing them a happy new year, full of their chosen 'spark' (See Teacher Script: My New Year's Spark! for closing remarks).
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Slide Deck
My New Year's Spark!
A fresh start is here!
What spark will you bring into the new year?
Welcome the student and explain that today we'll think about the new year. Ask them what they know about New Year's or new beginnings.
Last Year's Good Feelings
What made you feel happy or proud last year?
Think about:
- Being kind
- Trying your best
- Learning new things
Ask the student to think about the past year. What made them feel good? What made them happy? Guide them to write or draw in their journal.
Moments to Remember
What is one good thing you did for yourself or someone else?
- Did you share?
- Did you listen?
- Did you try something hard?
Encourage reflection on specific positive actions. 'When did you help someone?' 'When did you feel proud of yourself for something you did?'
My New Year's Spark!
What new spark will you bring to this year?
Let's choose one special goal for you!
I will... (be kind, try my best, listen more, etc.)
Introduce the idea of setting a small, personal goal. 'What kind of 'spark' do you want to have more of this year?' Guide them to think about how they want to feel or act.
Shine Bright!
You have a wonderful spark inside you!
How will you let it shine this year?
Allow the student to share one reflection or goal. Praise their effort and positive thinking. Reinforce that these are their personal goals.
Journal
My New Year's Spark! Journal
My Journey from Last Year
What made me feel happy or proud last year?
Draw or write about a time you felt really good about something you did or how you acted.
What is one kind thing I did for myself or someone else?
Think about a time you shared, helped, or used kind words. How did that feel?
My Spark for the New Year
What new spark do I want to bring to this year?
This is my special goal to help me grow!
I will...
How will I let my spark shine?
What can I do to remember and work on my goal?
Script
Teacher Script: My New Year's Spark!
Warm-up & Introduction (5 minutes)
"Hi [Student's Name]! I'm so glad to see you today. We're going to do a special activity together to think about the new year, which is a time for fresh starts and new adventures. It's like turning a brand new page in a book!"
"Today, we're going to talk about what makes you special, what amazing things you did last year, and what exciting 'spark' you want to bring into this new year. We'll use this special My New Year's Spark! Journal and look at some pictures together." (Display slide 1 of My New Year's Spark! Slide Deck).
Reflecting on Last Year (10 minutes)
"Let's look at the first page of your journal. It asks, 'What made me feel happy or proud last year?'" (Display slide 2 of My New Year's Spark! Slide Deck).
"Think about all the things you did and how you felt. Did you help a friend? Did you try something new in school? Did you work really hard on something, even if it was tricky? What made your heart feel warm?"
"Take your time to draw or write about one of those good feelings or proud moments in your journal." (Give student time to respond. Offer prompts: "Remember when you shared your toys? How did that feel?" or "I remember when you kept trying even when that math problem was hard. You didn't give up!")
"Now, let's think about a time you were especially kind. Our journal asks, 'What is one kind thing I did for myself or someone else?'" (Display slide 3 of My New Year's Spark! Slide Deck).
"Being kind can be a big thing or a small thing. Maybe you listened carefully, or you helped clean up. How did it feel when you were kind? What happened? You can draw or write about it here."
Setting New Year Goals (10 minutes)
"Wonderful reflections! Now, let's think forward to the new year. Just like a little light, everyone has a special 'spark' inside them. What kind of new spark do you want to bring to this year?" (Display slide 4 of My New Year's Spark! Slide Deck).
"This is a chance to think about how you want to grow or what you want to try. Maybe you want to be a super listener, or always try your best, or use kind words even when you're feeling frustrated."
"Let's choose one special goal for your spark this year. It could be something like: 'I will be a good friend,' or 'I will try new things,' or 'I will share my feelings calmly.' What sounds like a good spark for you?"
"Great! Now, write or draw your spark goal in your journal under 'I will...'".
"How will you let your spark shine? What can you do to remember and work on your goal?"
Sharing & Affirmation (5 minutes)
"[Student's Name], you've done such a thoughtful job reflecting and setting your spark goal! Is there anything you wrote or drew that you'd like to share with me?"
"That's a fantastic goal/reflection! I know you can do it, and I'm here to help you shine your spark all year long." (Display slide 5 of My New Year's Spark! Slide Deck).
"Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I'm really proud of how much you thought about these important things. Happy New Year, [Student's Name]! I'm excited to see your spark shine brightly!"