Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Reading
Writing

Reflecting on Our Year

Use a Wakelet template to invite students to reflect on their feelings, experiences, and accomplishments from the past year, and share their hopes for the upcoming year.

Activity Partner
Total time estimate:
30-60 minutes
Activity Objectives
  • Students will share highlights from the past year, such as their notable accomplishments, people they are grateful for, and lessons they have learned
  • Students will reflect on what they learned about others’ experiences, and how they can support others in achieving their goals for the upcoming year


This activity supports the development of the following social-emotional skills: relationship skills, responsible decision-making, self-awareness, and social awareness.

Discuss

Engage students in a conversation about the past year by asking the following questions:

  • What brought you joy over the past year?
  • What accomplishments are you most proud of?
  • Who are you grateful for, and why do you appreciate them?
  • What are some challenges that you have experienced in the past year?
  • What lessons have you learned, and how did you learn them?
  • What is something that you hope for next year? For example, do you have a wish for the world, or a goal that you want to achieve?

After your discussion, invite students to complete a classroom reflection using the Wakelet template below.

Note: To copy this template, tap the three dot menu at the top of the collection, and click on “copy collection.” You’ll be able to access your copy in your home page. Then, click on “invite” on your copy, and share the link with your students to invite them to contribute to your class collection!

Share

Once your students complete their Wakelet collection, share it with your Empatico partner class. Students might share stories about their feelings, experiences, and accomplishments from the past year, as well as their hopes for the upcoming year.

Encourage students to practice respectful communication skills by listening carefully to each other, asking thoughtful questions, and taking turns sharing.

Reflect

Guide students through a post-activity reflection by asking the following questions:

  • What were some similarities and differences between our experiences over the past year?
  • What is something that you are proud of your partner class for accomplishing?
  • What is something you learned from our partner class that you found interesting, or that you want to try?
  • How can you support others in achieving their goals for the next year? How would you like to be supported by others?
Did you finish this activity? We'd love your input.