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Time Capsule Reflections

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Jamilah Murrell

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Time Capsule Reflections Lesson Plan

Students will create a personal time capsule journal to reflect on their school year’s achievements, challenges, and joyful moments, fostering introspection and self-expression.

This lesson deepens self-awareness, boosts self-esteem, and helps students appreciate their personal growth by capturing meaningful memories and setting future goals.

Audience

Grades 3–5

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection and creative journal writing.

Materials

  • Digital Timer, - Slide Deck: Time Capsule Reflections, - Journal Template: Time Capsule Reflections, - Colored Pens or Pencils, and - Stickers and Decorative Items

Prep

Prepare Materials and Setup

15 minutes

  • Print one copy of Journal Template: Time Capsule Reflections per student
  • Load Slide Deck: Time Capsule Reflections on classroom display
  • Arrange colored pens, pencils, stickers, and decorative items on tables
  • Test the digital timer or classroom clock

Step 1

Introduction to Time Capsule Reflections

10 minutes

  • Display slide 1 of Slide Deck: Time Capsule Reflections to explain what a time capsule is
  • Ask students: “Why might we preserve memories?” and record responses
  • Highlight the day’s goal: reflect on the school year and capture key moments

Step 2

Guided Reflection Brainstorm

10 minutes

  • Invite students to think-pair-share on three prompts:
    • One achievement they’re proud of
    • One challenge they faced
    • One moment of joy
  • Call on volunteers to share and record ideas in a class chart or whiteboard

Step 3

Journal Creation

30 minutes

  • Distribute Journal Template: Time Capsule Reflections
  • Students complete sections:
    • Achievements (write or draw)
    • Challenges (how they overcame them)
    • Joyful Moments (favorite memories)
    • Future Goals (what they hope to do next year)
  • Encourage decorating pages with stickers, colored pens, and personal touches
  • Use the digital timer to manage pacing for each section

Step 4

Sharing and Closing

10 minutes

  • Invite a few volunteers to share a favorite entry from their journals
  • Peers offer positive feedback and applause
  • Instruct students to close and seal their journals as time capsules
  • Collect journals or have students take them home for safe keeping
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Slide Deck

Time Capsule Reflections

Grades 3–5

Let’s preserve our favorite memories, achievements, and goals from this school year!

Welcome students and introduce the lesson’s purpose. Say: “Today we’re going to capture our favorite memories from this year in our very own time capsule journals!”

What Is a Time Capsule?

• A container that stores special items & memories
• Opened later to remember the past

People make time capsules to capture important moments.

Explain what a time capsule is and show any fun image you have on screen. Then ask: “What would you put in a time capsule and why?”

Why Reflect on Our Year?

• Celebrate achievements & growth
• Learn from challenges
• Remember moments of joy
• Set goals for the future

Highlight each bullet and invite students to chime in with examples from their own experience.

Reflection Prompts

  1. One achievement you’re proud of
  2. One challenge you overcame
  3. One joyful moment you’ll always remember

Introduce the three prompts and explain think-pair-share: 1) Think on your own, 2) Pair up to discuss, 3) Share with the class.

Journal Template Sections

Use Journal Template: Time Capsule Reflections to complete:

• Achievements
• Challenges & how you overcame them
• Joyful Moments
• Future Goals

Click through each section, reminding students they can write or draw.

How to Use Your Time

• Achievements: 7 min
• Challenges: 7 min
• Joyful Moments: 7 min
• Future Goals: 5 min

Decorate with stickers, colors, & drawings!

Explain timing: 5–7 minutes per section. Show digital timer and model starting it.

Example Entry

Achievements: I learned to multiply!
Challenges: I felt nervous reading aloud, then practiced with a friend.
Joyful Moments: Field day with my classmates.
Future Goals: Try out for the school play!

Display a simple mock-up of a filled page or read the text example. Encourage creativity over perfection.

Sharing & Closing

• Volunteers share one favorite entry
• Peers offer positive feedback
• Close & “seal” your journal like a time capsule
• Take home or store safely

Guide students through sharing etiquette: one at a time, speak loudly, peers clap or give a thumbs-up.

Next Steps

• Keep your journal safe at home or in class
• Reopen and reflect at the end of next year
• Continue adding new memories and goals

Thank everyone and remind them to revisit their journals next year to see how much they’ve grown.

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Journal

My Time Capsule Journal

Decorate the cover of your time capsule! Draw pictures, add colors, or write a title that shows who you are and what you love. Make it uniquely yours.













1. Achievements

Think about one thing you did this year that makes you proud. It could be a big accomplishment or a small moment. Write about it and feel free to draw or add stickers below.












2. Challenges & Growth

We all face challenges. Describe one challenge you encountered this school year and explain how you overcame it or what you learned from it.












3. Joyful Moments

Recall a moment that brought you joy—big or small! Write about what happened, why it was special, and draw a picture to capture that happy memory.












4. Future Goals

What is one goal or dream you have for next year (or beyond)? It could be something you want to learn, try, or experience. Write it below and add a doodle or icon to represent it.







Keep your time capsule journal in a safe place. Reopen it next year to see how much you’ve grown and to add new memories and goals!

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