Journal
Think & Grow Reflection
Sometimes we make choices that aren't the best, and that's okay! It's how we learn and grow. This sheet is for you to think about what happened and how you can make even better choices next time.
1. What happened? Tell me in your own words.
2. What choice did you make? How did your choice affect others around you (your friends, your teacher, your classmates)?
3. What is one different choice you could have made? How would that choice have changed what happened and how others felt?
4. What is your plan for next time? How will you remember to make a better choice?
5. Draw a picture of yourself making a great choice in the future!
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Lesson Plan
Think & Grow Reflection
Students will reflect on their behaviors, identify alternative choices, and develop a plan for making positive choices in the future.
This lesson helps students understand the impact of their actions on themselves and others, fostering self-awareness and encouraging the development of positive social-emotional skills.
Audience
2nd Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Guided reflection through individual journaling.
Materials
- Think & Grow Reflection Journal, and - Pencils
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Review the Think & Grow Reflection Journal to familiarize yourself with the prompts.
- Make enough copies of the Think & Grow Reflection Journal for each student.
- Ensure pencils are readily available for all students.
- Review the Slide Deck and the Teacher Script for lesson delivery.
Step 1
Introduction: Why We Reflect
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students if they know what it means to reflect on something. (e.g., "To think deeply about what happened.")
- Explain that reflecting on our choices helps us learn and grow, just like a plant needs water and sunlight to grow.
- Introduce the Think & Grow Reflection Journal and explain its purpose: to help them think about their actions and plan for positive choices.
- (Refer to Teacher Script and Slide Deck)
Step 2
Journaling Time
20 minutes
- Distribute the Think & Grow Reflection Journal and pencils to each student.
- Read each prompt aloud and give students time to write their answers. Encourage them to be honest and thoughtful.
- Circulate around the room to offer support, answer questions, and provide gentle reminders to stay focused.
- Emphasize that this is a personal reflection, but they can share if they feel comfortable later.
- (Refer to Teacher Script and Slide Deck)
Step 3
Optional Share & Conclude
5 minutes
- Invite students who feel comfortable to share one thing they learned about themselves or one plan they made for next time.
- Reiterate the importance of learning from our choices and the power of making positive decisions.
- Collect the Think & Grow Reflection Journal from students.
- (Refer to Teacher Script and Slide Deck)
Slide Deck
Think & Grow Reflection
Learning from our choices to grow into our best selves!
Welcome students and introduce the topic of reflection. Explain that everyone makes mistakes and learning from them is how we grow.
What is Reflection?
Reflection is when we take time to think about what we did, why we did it, and how it made us or others feel.
It's like looking back at a path you walked to see where you went and what you learned along the way.
Explain what reflection means in simple terms. Use an analogy like looking in a mirror to see yourself, or reviewing a game to see how to play better next time. Emphasize that it's about thinking about our actions and feelings.
Your Turn to Reflect!
Today, we're going to use our Think & Grow Reflection Journal to think about our choices.
- Read each question carefully.
- Write your honest thoughts.
- This is your space to learn and grow!
Introduce the journal activity. Clearly state the purpose of the journal (to help them think about their actions and plan for positive choices). Explain that you will read the prompts together, and they will write their answers. Reassure them that it's a personal activity.
Growing Stronger Every Day!
Every choice we make helps us learn and grow.
By thinking about our actions, we get better at making awesome choices next time!
Keep growing, Super Thinkers!
Conclude by reinforcing the positive aspects of reflection and growth. Encourage students to always try their best and remember that mistakes are opportunities to learn. Thank them for their hard work and thoughtful reflection.
Script
Think & Grow Reflection Script
Introduction: Why We Reflect (5 minutes)
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important that helps us all learn and grow."
"Has anyone ever heard the word 'reflect' before? What do you think it means?" (Pause for student responses, guide them towards thinking deeply about something.)
"That's right! To reflect means to think deeply about something. Just like a plant needs water and sunshine to grow big and strong, we need to think about our choices to grow into our best selves!"
"Sometimes, we make choices that are awesome, and sometimes we make choices that might not be the best. Both are okay because we can learn from every choice we make."
"Today, we're going to use a special sheet called the Think & Grow Reflection Journal to help us do just that. It's a place for you to think about what happened when you made a choice, how it affected others, and what you can do differently next time." (Point to the Think & Grow Reflection Slide Deck as you discuss.)
Journaling Time (20 minutes)
"Now, I'm going to hand out your Think & Grow Reflection Journal sheets. You'll also need a pencil. Please write your name at the top."
"We're going to go through each question together. I'll read the question aloud, and then I'll give you time to write your answer in your journal. Remember, there are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers here, only your honest thoughts. This is your space to learn and grow."
"Let's look at the first question: 1. What happened? Tell me in your own words. Take a few minutes to write down what happened. Don't worry about perfect spelling or grammar, just get your ideas down." (Allow ample time for students to write. Circulate the room to offer support or clarify the prompt if needed.)
"Alright, let's move to question number two: 2. What choice did you make? How did your choice affect others around you (your friends, your teacher, your classmates)? Think about how your actions made other people feel or what happened because of your choice." (Pause for writing time.)
"Great thinking! Now for question number three: 3. What is one different choice you could have made? How would that choice have changed what happened and how others felt? This is where we imagine what could have been different if you had chosen another path." (Pause for writing time.)
"Almost done! Question four asks: 4. What is your plan for next time? How will you remember to make a better choice? This is your chance to make a promise to yourself about how you'll handle a similar situation in the future." (Pause for writing time.)
"Finally, question five: 5. Draw a picture of yourself making a great choice in the future! Use this space to imagine and draw yourself making a positive choice." (Allow time for drawing.)
Optional Share & Conclude (5 minutes)
"Wonderful job reflecting, everyone! I know that sometimes it can be hard to think about our choices, but it's a very brave and important thing to do."
"Would anyone like to share one thing they learned about themselves today, or one plan they made for next time? You don't have to share your whole journal, just one idea you're proud of." (Encourage voluntary sharing. If no one volunteers, you can share a general observation about the importance of reflection.)
"Remember, every choice we make helps us learn and grow. By thinking about our actions, we get better at making awesome choices next time! Keep growing, Super Thinkers!"
"Please hand in your Think & Grow Reflection Journal as you finish. Thank you for your thoughtful work today."