To be honest, I’m actually not big on New Year’s Resolutions. I normally say I’m going to eat healthier and start exercising, but neither ever really happens. However, I do think there is something wonderful about a New Year: a new, fresh start.
I also think it’s important to teach students to set goals for themselves and then watch them come to fruition. Even when a child sees themselves achieve a simple goal such as “Keep my room clean.” or “Read 3 books a week.”, it gives them a huge sense of accomplishment.
That being said, I know we’re all getting close to heading back to school, and I have a great writing activity to start the new year off right!
Click on the image below to download my FREE New Year’s Resolution Friendly Letter FREEBIE!
Since letter writing is such an important (and fun) skill, I thought this would be a great way to have young students share their resolutions, or goals, for the year!
You can use the Resolution Poster to discuss what exactly a resolution is, and you can show your students the sample letter to help them get ideas. They could write the letter to a friend, parent, or even to themselves. If they write to themselves, encourage them to hang it somewhere where they will see it everyday as encouragement.
There are a few different formats you can choose depending on your students’ writing level. Below is the Kindergarten Format where students can draw their goals before they write about them.
On the left is the First Grade format and on the right is the Second & Third Grade format. You could also have First Graders draw their resolutions as well.
I hope that this activity starts a good discussion on goals and goal setting. I know that I am looking forward to listening to my students share their goals!
And here is my goal for the year: keep up with this new blog and (maybe) start exercising more. 😉
Have a Safe and Happy New Year!
You can join my FREE Facebook Club for k-2 teachers here!
Find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
