The Power of Reflection: End-of-Year Highlights

Denise Lasky

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

The Power of Reflection: End-of-Year Highlights

Encourage self-awareness and gratitude

This lesson guides students to reflect on their year by identifying personal achievements, memorable moments, and learned lessons. It encourages self-awareness and gratitude, fostering a sense of accomplishment as they wrap up the calendar year. This reflection process helps students recognize their growth and set positive intentions for the future.

Audience

Students in Grades 7-12

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Encourage self-awareness and gratitude

Materials

Post-it notes, Pens, Reflection Worksheet, and Discussion Questions

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Welcome students and explain the purpose of the lesson: to reflect on the past year and recognize personal growth.
Briefly discuss the importance of reflection in personal development.

Step 2

Personal Reflection Activity

15 minutes

Distribute the Reflection Worksheet to each student.
Instruct students to spend time individually filling out the worksheet, focusing on personal achievements, memorable moments, and lessons learned.
Encourage students to be honest and thoughtful in their responses.

Step 3

Group Discussion

15 minutes

Organize students into small groups.
Provide each group with a set of Discussion Questions.
Ask students to share their reflections with their group, discussing similarities and differences in their experiences.
Encourage active listening and respectful sharing.

Step 4

Closure

5 minutes

Bring the class back together for a final discussion.
Ask a few students to share insights or highlights from their group discussions.
Conclude by emphasizing the value of reflection and how it can guide future actions and decisions.

Worksheet

Reflection Worksheet

This worksheet helps students reflect on their personal achievements, memorable moments, and lessons learned over the past year.

List three personal achievements from this year.

Think about academic, personal, or extracurricular achievements.

Describe a memorable moment from this year and why it stands out.

Consider moments that made you feel happy, proud, or challenged.

What is one important lesson you learned this year?

Reflect on experiences that taught you something valuable.

Discussion

Discussion Questions

These questions guide students in discussing their reflections with peers, encouraging deeper understanding and connection.

What was your most significant achievement this year?

Encourage students to share why this achievement was important to them.

How did a memorable moment impact your perspective or actions?

Discuss how experiences can shape our views and decisions.

What lesson from this year will you carry into the next?

Focus on how past lessons can inform future choices.