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Winter Wishes & Reflections

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Lesson Plan

Winter Wishes & Reflections

Students will reflect on their academic and personal growth during the past semester and set positive intentions for the winter break and new year.

Reflecting on achievements and challenges helps students develop self-awareness and a growth mindset. Setting intentions promotes goal-setting skills and a positive outlook for the future.

Audience

3rd-6th Grade Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection, creative expression, and sharing.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Winter Wishes & Reflections Slide Deck, My Semester Reflection Journal, My Winter Wish Activity, and Markers or colored pencils

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Looking Back

10 minutes

  • Display the first slide of the Winter Wishes & Reflections Slide Deck.
    - Ask students to think about one thing they learned or achieved this semester. Share an example from your own experience.
    - Have students briefly share with a partner or the whole class (as time allows).

Step 2

Guided Reflection: Journal Time

20 minutes

  • Distribute the My Semester Reflection Journal to each student.
    - Guide students through the journal prompts using the Winter Wishes & Reflections Slide Deck and accompanying script (if desired).
    - Encourage students to write thoughtfully, focusing on their growth and feelings.
    - Circulate around the room to offer support and answer questions.

Step 3

Creative Expression: Winter Wishes

15 minutes

  • Introduce the My Winter Wish Activity. Explain that they will be creating a 'winter wish' for themselves or the new year.
    - Show examples or provide ideas for their wishes (e.g., 'I wish to read more books,' 'I wish to learn a new skill').
    - Allow students to be creative with their designs and use colored pencils or markers.
    - Play some calm, reflective music during this time if appropriate.

Step 4

Share & Celebrate

10 minutes

  • Invite students to share their 'Winter Wishes' with a small group or the class.
    - Encourage positive feedback and celebration of each other's hopes.
    - Briefly discuss how setting intentions can help us achieve our goals.

Step 5

Cool-Down: One Word Wonder

5 minutes

  • Ask students to think of one word that describes how they feel after reflecting and making their winter wish.
    - Have them share this word with the class as an exit ticket or quick share.
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Slide Deck

Winter Wishes & Reflections

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Let's celebrate our journey and dream big for the new year!

Welcome students and introduce the idea of reflecting on the semester. Ask them to think about something they are proud of learning or doing.

My Semester Snapshot

What are you proud of?

  • A new skill?
  • A challenging subject?
  • A kind act?

Lead a brief discussion. Ask students: "What's one thing you learned or achieved this semester?" Share your own example to get them started.

Journal Journey

Time to Reflect!

  • My Favorite Moment: What was a highlight?
  • Something I Learned: A new fact, skill, or idea.
  • A Challenge I Overcame: How did you grow?
  • How I Showed Kindness: To myself or others.

Explain that students will now work on their journals. Distribute the My Semester Reflection Journal and guide them through the prompts on the slides.

Dreaming Big: My Winter Wish

What do you wish for the winter break or the new year?

  • For yourself?
  • For your family?
  • For the world?

Let your creativity shine!

Introduce the My Winter Wish Activity. Explain that a 'wish' is like a goal or a positive hope for the future. Encourage creativity.

Sharing Our Hopes

Let's share our wishes!

  • Listen respectfully.
  • Celebrate each other's dreams.
  • Remember, setting intentions helps us grow!

Give students time to share their wishes. Emphasize listening and positive encouragement. Conclude by reinforcing the power of positive intentions.

One Word Wonder

How do you feel right now?

  • Joyful?
  • Hopeful?
  • Inspired?
  • Ready?

Share one word with the class!

For the cool-down, ask each student to share one word that describes how they feel after the lesson.

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Journal

My Semester Reflection Journal

Take some time to think about all you've learned and accomplished this semester!

1. My Favorite Moment

What was a highlight of your semester? This could be a fun project, a field trip, a moment with friends, or something you learned that really excited you.










2. Something New I Learned

What is one new fact, skill, or idea that you learned this semester? How did you learn it?










3. A Challenge I Overcame

Was there something difficult this semester that you worked hard on and improved? How did you overcome that challenge? What did you learn about yourself?










4. How I Showed Kindness

Think about a time you showed kindness to a classmate, a teacher, a family member, or even yourself this semester. What did you do?










5. Looking Forward

What are you most excited about for the upcoming winter break or the new year?










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Activity

My Winter Wish Activity

Now it's time to think about your hopes and dreams for the upcoming winter break and the new year! What do you wish for yourself, your family, or the world?

Instructions:

  1. Brainstorm Your Wish: Think about what you would like to happen or achieve. It could be big or small! (e.g., "I wish to learn to bake cookies," "I wish to spend more time with my family," "I wish for everyone to be happy and healthy.")

  2. Illustrate Your Wish: In the space below, draw a picture that represents your winter wish. Be creative and colorful!

  3. Write Your Wish: Neatly write your winter wish on the lines provided. You can also add a short sentence about why this wish is important to you.

My Winter Wish:































My wish is:






This wish is important to me because:






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