Year In Review Project Guide

Overview

This guide will help you synthesize your reflections from the past year into a creative, meaningful project. You’ll choose a format, develop an outline, create drafts, and polish your final product. This process will deepen your self‐awareness, celebrate your achievements, and set the stage for future growth.

Project Options

• Poster: Design a visually engaging poster that highlights your top achievements, challenges overcome, key lessons, and SMART goals for the upcoming term.
• Slideshow: Create a 5–8 slide digital presentation summarizing your year’s highlights, reflections, and future goals. Incorporate images, quotes, and data where relevant.
• Video: Produce a 2–4 minute video (voiced or subtitled) that narrates your year in review, using photos, clips, and voiceover to illustrate your journey.
• Essay: Write a 600–800 word personal essay that weaves together your proudest moments, challenges faced, lessons learned, and action plan moving forward.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Choose Your Format
   Decide which project type best suits your style and strengths. Consider how you like to express yourself—visually, verbally, or in writing.
2. Gather Reflections
   Review your entries from Daily Reflection Journal Prompts. Highlight specific anecdotes, data points (grades, hours volunteered, new skills), and quotes that illustrate your year.
3. Develop an Outline
   Draft a clear structure: Introduction, Highlights, Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Future Goals. For example:
   • Intro: One‐sentence theme for your year
     - Highlights: Top 3 successes with evidence
     - Challenges: 2 obstacles and how you addressed them
     - Lessons: 3 key takeaways
     - Goals: 2–3 SMART goals
4. First Draft / Prototype
   Create a rough version of your project. Sketch your poster layout, draft slides, storyboard your video, or write your essay’s first paragraphs. Focus on content, not polish.
5. Peer Feedback
   Share your draft/prototype with a classmate. Ask for feedback on clarity, engagement, and depth of reflection. Take notes on suggestions.
6. Revise and Refine
   Incorporate feedback. Add visuals, refine wording, adjust pacing, and ensure each section flows logically.
7. Finalize & Submit
   Check alignment with the evaluation criteria. Ensure your project is complete, well‐organized, and visually or rhetorically polished.

Suggested Timeline

• Week 1: Planning & Outline
  Choose format, gather journal excerpts, and draft your outline.
• Week 2: First Draft / Prototype
  Create the initial version of your project and request feedback.
• Week 3: Revision & Polishing
  Incorporate feedback, add visuals or multimedia elements, and refine content.
• Week 4: Presentation & Reflection
  Present your final project to peers and submit SMART goals on an index card.

Resources & Materials

• Journals or notebooks with your reflections
• Daily Reflection Journal Prompts
• Digital devices (computers, tablets) and presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides, video editors)
• Art supplies for posters (markers, paper, rulers)
• Headphones/microphones for video projects

Evaluation Criteria

1. Depth of Reflection: Shows thoughtful analysis of successes and challenges with specific examples.
2. Organization & Clarity: Follows the outlined structure; ideas flow logically.
3. Creativity & Engagement: Uses visuals, narrative, or design elements effectively to engage the audience.
4. Evidence & Support: Includes concrete data, quotes, or artifacts to back up reflections.
5. SMART Goals: Goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
6. Presentation Quality: Spelling, grammar, audio/video quality, and visual design meet professional standards.

Project Checklist

• Chose a project format
• Reviewed journal entries and highlighted key reflections
• Created a detailed outline (Intro, Highlights, Challenges, Lessons, Goals)
• Produced a first draft or prototype
• Received and documented peer feedback
• Revised project according to feedback
• Final project aligns with evaluation criteria
• Submitted SMART goals on an index card

Good luck, and enjoy celebrating your growth from the past year!

Daily Reflection Journal Prompts

Session 1: Broad Reflection

1. What accomplishment from this past year are you most proud of, and why does it stand out to you?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Identify a challenge you faced. How did you navigate it, and what did it teach you about yourself?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Think of a moment when you felt truly happy or fulfilled. What were the circumstances, and why was it meaningful?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Session 2: Deep Reflection

1. Reflect on your growth in a specific skill, subject, or habit. How did you improve, and which strategies or resources helped you most?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Describe a relationship (friend, family member, teacher, mentor) that influenced your year. What did you learn from that person?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Recall a moment of failure or significant setback. How did you respond emotionally and practically, and what lessons emerged?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. In what ways did you step outside your comfort zone this year? What did you discover about your strengths or limits?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Session 3: Looking Ahead

1. Based on your reflections, what is one habit or skill you want to develop next year, and why is it important?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Imagine yourself one year from now. What accomplishments or experiences do you hope to achieve? Describe them in detail.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Write a brief personal mission statement or theme for the upcoming year that captures your goals, values, and aspirations.