Looking Back to Look Forward: A Classroom Activity

The end of the year is the perfect time to stop and think about life. We can look back at the things we have done and what we have learned. This helps us to decide what we enjoyed and what we want to do next year. 

Sometimes people make "resolutions" at the beginning of the year. These are promises that you make to yourself. For example: 

• I will exercise for 20 minutes every day. 
• I am going to study on Ellii for one hour a day. 
• I plan to speak B2 English by the end of the year. 

These resolutions can be difficult to keep, so I'd like to share an activity to help you plan next year in a kinder way. 

1. Choose your paper

This activity is best on BIG paper. I think A3 (or bigger) is best, but A4 will also work well. If you prefer digital, you can use a drawing tool like Procreate (only for Apple users), Adobe Fresco, Concepts, or Canva Whiteboard. 

2. Draw out last year 

First, draw a line and then divide it into 12 months. The easiest way to do this is to start with a line and then divide it into six parts: 

Then, add more lines to divide it into 12 parts. 

After that, you can write the months of the year. You can shorten them by writing the first three letters of each month or even just the first letter!

You can divide the top and bottom parts of the page into different parts of your life—for example, family, home, health, work, study, money, and fun. 

In this example, the top part of the page is for "professional" things. For example, things you did at work or that you studied. The bottom part of the page is for "fun" things like travel, seeing friends, and visiting family. 

You can add little drawings to help you think. I chose a rocket to show moving forward quickly and a star to express fun. 

3. Add what you did last year

Now, add all your important memories from last year.

Think about: 

• things you learned
• courses you took
• people you met
• your work
• places you visited

If you find it difficult to remember, look back at photos on your phone or your calendars and diaries. 

Don't worry about getting the dates correct or having something for each month. The main idea is to write down the most important things that happened. 

Here's an example:

You can add quick drawings or just write down your ideas. Using drawings gives you the chance to play and think more about how things felt. It also helps you to really see your year. The drawings don't need to be artistic. Simple and messy is perfect!

At this point, you could also highlight the best bits in different colors, cross out the worst bits, or draw little emoji.

4. Decide your "more" and "less"

New Year's resolutions are promises that you might break. But in this activity, we choose what you want "more" or "less" of in your life. Look at your last year and choose the things that made you smile. Write down one or two things that you want more of this year. Then do the same for things you want less. 

Here's an example: 

As an extra, write all the things that you want more of on another piece of paper. Put it somewhere safe. At the end of the year, look back and see if you really got more of what you were looking for. 

I hope this activity helps you to think about your year ahead and make a plan that works for you. 

Here are some other blog posts that we think you might enjoy: 

• 6 Ways to Use Journaling to Learn English Fast
• English Belongs to Everyone: Here's How to Own Your English
• What is Cockney Rhyming Slang?