Hey there, fellow trailblazers!
As we welcome a new calendar year and jump back into the classroom after Winter Break, I’m excited to share a project that’s close to my heart. Picture this: a new year brimming with the promise of fresh starts and big dreams. And what better way to harness this hopeful energy than by embarking on a fun, creative journey with your students? That’s right, I’m talking about crafting a New Year’s Vision Board – a vibrant, inspiring, and deeply personal map to guide our students through the year ahead.
Why Vision Boards?
Vision boards are all the rage, capturing the imagination of people everywhere. It’s easy to see why: they’re a tangible, visual representation of one’s goals and dreams, offering a daily reminder and a burst of motivation. For students, these colorful collages are more than just an art project. They’re a powerful tool for self-reflection, creativity, and setting clear, actionable objectives, helping them paint their path to success.
I’ve been busy planning a vision board activity for my students, and I’ve created a step-by-step presentation to make it easy and fun. It’s packed with everything you need to guide your students in creating their vision boards. And the best part? I’m sharing it in my Free Resource Library, so you can use it with your students too!
Tips to Teach Students How to Create a Vision Board for the new year:
- Reflect – Start by asking students to look back on the past year. What did they learn? What were their victories and challenges? This reflection is the first step in understanding where they want to go next.
- Positive Affirmations – Positive affirmations are like seeds of confidence and determination planted in the minds of students. Encourage students to create powerful statements about themselves to help them cultivate a growth mindset and believe in their own abilities as they set and pursue their personal goals with persistence.
- Brainstorm Goals – Next, students will start to dream big! What are their goals for the new year? Have students brainstorm what they want to accomplish within the following categories: academics, hobbies & talents, personal growth, friendships & relationships, health & well-being, dreams & wishes, community & giving back, and adventure & discovery.
- Create a Vision Board! – Here comes the fun part! Students will translate those dreams into a visual collage of images, words, and whatever else sparks joy and inspiration. While I think there is power in creating a physical vision board on poster paper; digital vision boards can also be powerful and have the added benefit of convenience.
New Years Vision Board
If you are looking for a resource to help walk students through the process or give them an opportunity to create their own digital vision board, you can check this one out here!
What’s Next?
Once your students have crafted their vision boards, it’s time to display their artwork. Encourage them to place their boards in a spot they’ll see every day, be it in the classroom or at home, to keep the inspiration flowing.
Taking It a Step Further with S.M.A.R.T. Goals:
But why stop at vision boards? Let’s help our students turn their dreams into reality with S.M.A.R.T. goals. I recommend guiding them to create a S.M.A.R.T. goal for each category they’ve envisioned for the year. Teach them what S.M.A.R.T. goals are and how to track their progress. Regularly reflecting on and adjusting these goals can make all the difference in their success.
I’m always looking for new ideas and love to hear from fellow educators. Have any tips or stories about using New Year’s Vision Boards and S.M.A.R.T. goals in your classroom? Drop a comment below; let’s inspire each other!
If you’re curious about the step-by-step presentation or looking for more resources, don’t hesitate to subscribe to my Free Resource Library. Let’s make this year a vibrant, goal-smashing success!
Happy New Year, teachers! Here’s to a year of making dreams a visual and actionable reality.
Warmly,
Heather | A Trailblazing Teacher
