Lesson Plan

Reflective Journaling Journey

Students will reflect on their personal and academic growth through structured journaling prompts and creative exercises, setting clear goals for the upcoming term.

Reflective journaling fosters self-awareness, critical thinking, and emotional growth by helping students recognize achievements, identify challenges, and develop actionable goals to support future success.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Reflective Journaling

5 minutes

Step 2

Year-in-Review Prompt

10 minutes

Step 3

Creative Reflection

10 minutes

Step 4

Goal-Setting Activity

10 minutes

Step 5

Sharing and Discussion

8 minutes

Step 6

Wrap-Up and Next Steps

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Reflective Journaling Journey

Display this slide as students enter. Introduce the lesson objective and outline the agenda. Emphasize that journaling is a personal process—honesty and creativity are encouraged.

Year-in-Review Prompt

Explain that this prompt helps them celebrate successes and learn from challenges. Remind students to be specific and include examples as they write.

Creative Reflection Options

Introduce creative options and encourage use of color and shapes. Circulate to support ideas, ask students to illustrate a high point and a low point.

Goal-Setting with SMART Framework

Review each element of SMART and model an example goal. Then invite students to draft two academic or personal SMART goals in their journals.

Summary & Next Steps

Thank volunteers for sharing. Display these next steps and home challenge. Remind students where to store their journals and how often to revisit them.

Lesson Plan

Reflective Journaling Journey

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Introduction to Reflective Journaling

Step 2

Year-in-Review Prompt

Step 3

Creative Reflection

Step 4

Goal-Setting Activity

Step 5

Sharing and Discussion

Step 6

Wrap-Up and Next Steps

Slide Deck

Reflective Journaling Journey

Year-in-Review Prompt

Creative Reflection Options

Goal-Setting with SMART Framework

Summary & Next Steps

Journal

Reflective Journaling Journey

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