Personal Growth Journals

R Silva

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Personal Growth Journals 3-Week Plan

Over three weekly 30-minute sessions, students will reflect on their past achievements, set a personal growth goal, and track their progress to build self-awareness and confidence.

Spreading reflection, planning, and review over three weeks helps 5th graders dig deeper into their growth, practice goal-setting, and celebrate achievements in a supportive setting.

Audience

5th Grade Students

Time

Three 30-Minute Sessions

Approach

Three guided journaling sessions with drawing and peer sharing.

Materials

Pencils, - Colored Markers, - Growth Reflection Worksheet, and - Personal Growth Journal Template

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Review both Growth Reflection Worksheet and Personal Growth Journal Template.
Print or copy enough worksheets and templates for all students across three sessions.
Gather pencils and colored markers.
Arrange classroom seating for individual work and partner sharing.

Step 1

Session 1: Reflection

30 minutes

Distribute the Growth Reflection Worksheet.
Students complete prompts: something they’re proud of, a fun moment drawing, a challenge they overcame, and a new skill learned.
Circulate to support and encourage detailed, colorful responses.
Invite a few volunteers to share one reflection at the end.

Step 2

Session 2: Goal Setting & Planning

30 minutes

Hand out the Personal Growth Journal Template.
Guide students to write one clear goal for next term and explain why it matters.
Help them list three simple steps and target dates to reach that goal.
Allow 5 minutes for decorating with markers and drawings.

Step 3

Session 3: Check-In & Celebration

30 minutes

Ask students to revisit their journal templates and complete Check-In #1 and #2 sections.
In pairs, each student shares their goal, progress notes, and next small step.
Partners give positive feedback and one friendly suggestion.
Finish with a class celebration: students raise a hand to share one success or insight from their journals.

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Worksheet

Growth Reflection Worksheet

Something I’m Proud Of

Write one thing you did this year that made you proud:

Draw a Fun Moment

Below, draw a picture of a happy or exciting moment you remember from this year:

Overcoming Challenges

Describe one challenge you faced and how you solved or handled it:

New Skill Learned

Name one new skill or strength you developed:

Looking Ahead

My Goal for Next Year:
Two Steps to Reach It:
1. Step 1:
2. Step 2:

Journal

Personal Growth Journal Template

Date: ___________________

1. My Goal

Write one goal you want to achieve next term:

2. Why This Goal Matters

Explain why this goal is important to you:

3. Steps to Reach My Goal

List three simple steps you will take:

Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:

4. Drawing My Goal

Draw a picture of you working on or achieving your goal:

5. Check-In #1 (Date: ________)

How did it go so far? What went well?

6. Check-In #2 (Date: ________)

What have you learned or changed? What will you try next?

7. Looking Ahead

What is your next small step?