Lesson Plan
New Beginnings Lesson Plan
Students will collaboratively design a mixed-media vision board to articulate personal and academic goals for the school year, then share strategies and reflections with peers.
This activity builds a positive mindset, fosters teamwork, and encourages goal-setting, helping 8th graders transition smoothly and support each other.
Audience
8th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Group discussion, mixed-media creation, and peer gallery walk.
Materials
- Vision Board Blueprint Worksheet, - Media Mix Creation Activity Guide, - Goal Gallery Walk Discussion Guide, - Poster Boards, - Magazines (for collage), - Scissors, - Glue Sticks, and - Colored Markers and Papers
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print one copy of Vision Board Blueprint Worksheet per group
- Print the Media Mix Creation Activity Guide
- Print the Goal Gallery Walk Discussion Guide
- Gather poster boards, magazines, scissors, glue sticks, markers, and colored paper
- Arrange tables for small groups
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome students and explain the purpose: creating a vision board to set hopes and strategies for the year
- Show a quick example image of a finished vision board
- Distribute Vision Board Blueprint Worksheet
- Organize students into groups of 3–4
Step 2
Vision Board Planning
10 minutes
- In groups, review the worksheet sections: Personal Goals, Academic Goals, and Support Strategies
- Discuss and list 2–3 items in each section based on individual and collective aspirations
- Encourage everyone to contribute ideas and reach group consensus
Step 3
Media Mix Creation
20 minutes
- Provide each group with a poster board and mixed materials
- Follow the steps in the Media Mix Creation Activity Guide
- Cut, arrange, and glue images, text, and drawings that represent listed goals and strategies
- Circulate and offer feedback, prompting deeper reflection
Step 4
Goal Gallery Walk
5 minutes
- Have groups post their vision boards around the room
- Use the Goal Gallery Walk Discussion Guide to rotate and leave positive feedback on sticky notes
- Encourage observations on inspiring strategies and common themes
Step 5
Reflection & Wrap-Up
5 minutes
- Reconvene as a class and invite volunteers to share key takeaways
- Discuss how these vision boards can guide actions throughout the year
- Remind students to display their boards in a visible classroom spot for ongoing motivation
Slide Deck
New Beginnings
Small groups co-create a vision board of personal and academic goals and support strategies for the year using mixed media.
Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s activity: creating a vision board to set hopes and strategies for the school year. Explain that this is a group activity where collaboration and creativity matter.
Lesson Objectives
• Design a mixed-media vision board
• Articulate personal and academic goals
• Share strategies and reflections with peers
Read each objective aloud. Emphasize why these skills—goal setting, collaboration, self-expression—are important for 8th grade success.
Why a Vision Board?
• Builds a positive mindset
• Fosters teamwork and collaboration
• Encourages clear goal-setting
Discuss how visuals help us remember and commit to goals. Invite students to share if they’ve ever created a collage or mood board.
Materials
• Poster boards
• Magazines, colored paper, markers, glue sticks, scissors
• Vision Board Blueprint Worksheet
• Media Mix Creation Activity Guide
• Goal Gallery Walk Discussion Guide
Quickly show each material and pass it around if possible. Point out the three printed guides.
Lesson Overview
Introduction – 5 min
- Planning – 10 min
- Media Mix Creation – 20 min
- Gallery Walk – 5 min
- Reflection & Wrap-Up – 5 min
Walk through the timeline so students know what to expect. Keep them on time.
1. Vision Board Planning
• In groups of 3–4, open your Vision Board Blueprint Worksheet
• List 2–3 Personal Goals, Academic Goals, and Support Strategies
• Reach consensus and assign roles for creating the board
Explain the three worksheet sections. Circulate and ask probing questions to ensure each student contributes ideas.
2. Media Mix Creation
• Use magazine cutouts, drawings, and text to represent your listed goals
• Arrange and paste items on the poster board per the Media Mix Creation Activity Guide
• Rotate roles so everyone contributes to cutting, pasting, and labeling
Demonstrate gluing techniques if needed. Encourage creativity—there’s no single right way to design.
3. Goal Gallery Walk
• Post vision boards around the room
• Rotate in pairs, using the Goal Gallery Walk Discussion Guide
• Leave at least one positive comment or question per board
Model how to leave positive, specific feedback on a sticky note. Remind students to look for common themes.
4. Reflection & Wrap-Up
• Discuss: What strategy resonated most?
• How will you use your vision board this year?
• Display boards in the classroom for continued inspiration
Invite volunteers to share one takeaway. Encourage students to display their boards for ongoing motivation.
Worksheet
Vision Board Blueprint Worksheet
Group Members
List each member in your group:
- ____________________
- ____________________
- ____________________
- ____________________
Personal Goals
List 2–3 personal goals you want to achieve this school year (e.g., fitness, hobbies, well-being):
- ____________________
- ____________________
- ____________________
Academic Goals
List 2–3 academic goals you want to achieve this school year (e.g., grades, study habits, subjects to improve):
- ____________________
- ____________________
- ____________________
Support Strategies
List 2–3 strategies or resources you will use to reach your goals (e.g., study groups, teacher help, time management):
- ____________________
- ____________________
- ____________________
Use this blueprint as the foundation for your mixed-media vision board. Refer back to your responses as you select images, words, and symbols that represent each goal and strategy.
Activity
Media Mix Creation Activity Guide
Duration: 20 minutes
Materials
- Poster board per group
- Magazines, newspapers, printed images
- Colored paper and markers
- Scissors and glue sticks
- Pens or labels for captions
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Review Your Blueprint (2 min)
- Open your Vision Board Blueprint Worksheet.
- Identify 2–3 key images or words for each section: Personal Goals, Academic Goals, Support Strategies.
- Collect Visual Elements (5 min)
- Browse magazines, newspapers, or printed images to find pictures, colors, and patterns that match your goals.
- Cut out or tear images, words, and textures.
- Sort them into piles by goal type.
- Arrange Your Layout (5 min)
- Place your cut-outs on the poster board without gluing.
- Experiment with grouping similar themes together and creating a central focal point.
- Step back to check balance and visual flow.
- Add Text and Symbols (3 min)
- Use markers or colored paper to write captions, quotes, or keywords next to images.
- Draw arrows, borders, or doodles to connect related ideas or emphasize priorities.
- Glue Down Elements (3 min)
- Once layout is finalized, glue background pieces first, then layer foreground elements.
- Press each piece firmly to ensure it adheres well.
- Refine and Embellish (2 min)
- Add small drawings, stickers, or decorative borders.
- Ensure each goal and strategy is clearly represented visually and labelled.
- Sign and Prepare for Gallery Walk
- Write your group’s names in a corner of the poster.
- Gather sticky notes to leave feedback during the Goal Gallery Walk Discussion Guide.
Discussion
Goal Gallery Walk Discussion Guide
Purpose
This guide helps you give meaningful feedback on your peers’ vision boards. Through observation, inspiration, questions, and connections, you’ll learn from each other and celebrate shared strategies.
Instructions
- Pair up with a classmate.
- Begin at a posted vision board.
- Spend about 2 minutes at each board.
- Use sticky notes to respond to the prompts below. Write clearly and respectfully.
- When you hear the signal, rotate to the next board.
Feedback Prompts
Use one sticky note per prompt. Place your note directly on the board.
1. Observation
“One thing I noticed is…”
2. Inspiration
“This idea inspired me because…”
3. Question
“I wonder…”
4. Connection
“This reminds me of…”
5. Encouragement
“I like how you…”
Reflection (After Gallery Walk)
- Which vision board stood out most to you and why?
- Did you notice any common themes or strategies across boards?
- How will you use one idea you saw today in your own vision board plan?
Use this guide throughout the Goal Gallery Walk Discussion Guide to support and learn from one another. Make your feedback specific, positive, and helpful!