Closing Challenge
Students identify one personal or academic goal that they would like to commit to in the week ahead.
![A Facing History journal sits on top of a student guide for Choices in Little Rock.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_Chicago_FH2101605.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=TAR7mZfI)
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Students reflect on the past year and generate ideas for the kind of learning community and learning experiences they are hoping for this year.
![Four students in conversation with each other in a classroom.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_SFBA_FH152797.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=pQhl4nhF)
Mood Meter
This mood meter activity develops students’ vocabulary for describing their feelings and their empathy muscles.
![Two middle school students write with pencils on a big paper activity.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_FH2101676.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=2LE9vXfG)
Emoji Emotions
Students use emojis to practice sharing what they are feeling while building empathy for their classmates.
![A student looks down at their paper with a pen in hand. A smiling emoji is in the foreground.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Cleveland_StudentEvent_2019_FH2100138.jpg?h=78aab1d8&itok=kV20ZA7G)
Picture This
Students engage with an intriguing image that lacks context or a title, drawing on their close viewing and analysis skills.
![Assorted images of the outdoors organized in a grid on a beige wooden table.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/assortedphotosontable_FH2174418.jpg?h=3270a554&itok=NLbmZzei)
Rose, Thorn, Bud
The Rose, Thorn, Bud exercise increases students' self-awareness as they reflect on recent successes, challenges, and opportunities.
![A bush of blooming red roses.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/bloomingredroses_FH2174430.jpg?h=790be497&itok=Bi-7cuYn)
Fist to Five
Students communicate how they are feeling in response to a chosen prompt, giving teachers a pulse on the class’s opinions or well-being.
![A person holding a rectangular white photo frame near a body of water.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/personholdingwhitephotoframe_FH2174431.jpg?h=85ee10f1&itok=FI7scKNp)
First Chapter Fridays
Read aloud a chapter of a book your students are interested in to build community around stories and storytelling.
![Person sitting on the floor while holding a book.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/personholdingbook_2017_FH2174436_teaser.jpeg?h=84071268&itok=8vuJsWXh)