Welcome students! Today we’ll pause to reflect on our past year: celebrate successes, recognize where we can grow, and set goals to start next year strong.

Read the objective aloud and stress why reflection builds a growth mindset and prepares you for future challenges.

Pair up students. Ask one student to share their success while the other listens, then switch roles.

Distribute the Year-End Reflection Worksheet (#year-end-reflection-worksheet). Give students 10 minutes to list three successes and three growth areas. Remind them to write each success on a separate sticky note.

Form groups of 3–4. Have students take turns sharing their top items. Circulate to prompt deeper thinking and support language as needed.

Introduce the SMART framework. Model a goal on the board: “I will improve my Algebra grade from a B to an A by completing two extra practice problems daily and attending weekly study group, by December.” Highlight each SMART element.

Hand out the Goal-Setting Template (#year-end-goal-setting-template). Give students 10 minutes to write one academic and one personal SMART goal.

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one goal each. Provide positive feedback and encourage growth mindset language (e.g., “I can improve by…”). Collect templates to review goal quality.

Explain next steps: post goals in notebooks or digital portfolios, and remind them you’ll check in mid-year to review progress and offer support.