A Colorful Start: Fun Activities to Help Students Visualize Their Year Ahead
As a new year begins, it’s the perfect time to inspire students with positivity, goal-setting, and the excitement of what lies ahead. It is an incredible opportunity to guide students in crafting a vision for their future. Here are three delightful activities designed for upper elementary age students to help them visualize their year ahead.
1. One Word
Materials Needed:
- Blank sheets of paper
- Colored markers
Begin by having each student select their word for the year. Even young students can be encouraged to select a word as their focus or inspiration. Not only does it immediately engage their creative side but also gives great insight as to their interests and goals. Give some examples to get the creative juices flowing. Visit Mike Ashcraft’s website, My One Word and share some examples of words that have been chosen and why.
Once they have chosen their word, they can write it on a blank paper and decorate the page. The words could then be displayed on a bulletin board or inserted in the student’s notebook as a reminder.
Encourage them to ask themselves throughout the year: Am I following the meaning of my one word with my words, thoughts, and actions? If not, how can I change my words, thoughts and actions so that I am true to the meaning of my word?
2. Vision Bracelets
Materials Needed:
- Pipe cleaners
- Assorted beads with letters and symbols
- Small resealable bags
Instructions: Introduce the idea of a vision or goal as something to strive for. Provide each student with a pipe cleaner and a variety of beads. Explain that each bead represents a different goal or aspiration for the upcoming year. They can choose beads with letters to spell out words related to their goals or beads with symbols that represent specific achievements. As they thread the beads onto the pipe cleaner, encourage them to think about what each one signifies. Once finished, secure the ends of the pipe cleaner to create a wearable vision bracelet. This tangible reminder will be a source of inspiration as they navigate the school year.
3. My Year Ahead Flipbook
Materials Needed:
- Blank sheets of paper
- Colored markers
- Stapler
Instructions: Distribute sheets of paper to each student and have them fold the paper in half horizontally, creating a booklet. Instruct them to write the months of the year on the bottom of each page, leaving space above for illustrations. Ask the students to draw or write about one thing they are excited about for each month. This could be a goal, a special event, or even a personal achievement they hope to reach. Once they have completed their flipbooks, use a stapler to bind the pages together. This interactive tool will not only help them visualize the year ahead but also serve as a fun keepsake to reflect on as the months unfold. Students may be encouraged to use the booklet as a journal and record the outcome of the anticipated events.
As we embark on this new year, let’s empower our students to dream big, set goals, and embrace the journey ahead.
