Setting Intentions for the Year with My Students
As the calendar flips to a new year, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement… or the dread of New Year’s resolutions. However, in my classroom, we take a slightly different approach. Resolutions often focus on tasks—things to check off a list—and while they can be motivating, they’re also easy to abandon when life gets busy or goals start to feel out of reach. Instead, I guide my students through a reflective process to set intentions for the year—something deeper, more personal, and more sustainable.
At the start of the new semester, I ask my students to think back on the fall. What went well? What didn’t? What do they want to carry forward, and what do they hope to leave behind? The goal isn’t to create rigid, task-oriented resolutions but to identify a single word that resonates with them—a word that can act as a guiding light throughout the year.
Why a word instead of a resolution? A word is flexible. It can meet you where you are on good days and bad days. If your word is joy, for example, it doesn’t mean every day will feel joyful. Instead, it’s a reminder to look for joy, even in difficult moments. If your word is focus, it’s not about being productive every minute but about returning to a centered place when your mind starts to drift.
To kick off this activity, I show my students Mallika Chopra’s video on setting intentions. It does a wonderful job explaining the mental science behind intention-setting and helps frame the activity with meaning and clarity. I then provide them with this reflection worksheet that gently guides their thoughts. Then, I hand out half-sheets of blank paper and encourage each student to write their chosen word in a visually appealing way—bright colors, bold letters, something they can easily spot across the room.
Once the words are complete, I display them around the classroom. These words aren’t just decoration—they’re tools. I remind my students that if they’re ever having a rough day, they can look at their word, take a deep breath, and refocus on what matters most to them.
Over the years, I’ve seen how powerful this practice can be. Setting an intention isn’t about achieving a finish line—it’s about creating a mindset, a habit, and a touchstone for the year ahead. And honestly? It’s something I do right alongside them every year. After all, we’re all learning, growing, and setting intentions together.
Get the reflection worksheet here, and let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions or if you’ve done this with your students!
You can also click on the image below to download it from Teachers Pay Teachers. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reflecting-Setting-Intentions-for-the-New-Year-12802405
