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Ritualising Reflection 5 minutes · closer

Rings of the term

Card 26 of 52

Put it on the board and read it out. Nothing to prepare.

A tree diagram labelled roots, trunk, branches and fruits, each with a question

Illustration by RecipesforWellbeing.org, CC BY-NC 4.0

Open this drawing in the library

As the term ends, picture it as one of the rings inside a tree, holding a record of the season that has passed.

Close your eyes if you like, and imagine where the ring is thick with effort, and where growth was slower or harder to see.

Choose one thing from the term that you would like to keep and one thing you are ready to leave in the season behind you.

If you are willing, offer one word for the term as you pack up. Then let the reflection end and the break begin.

That’s the practice.

Listen for Welcome ordinary or hard words such as "long", "okay" or "done", with no need to make the term sound positive.

The skill of reflection. Intentionally examining your thoughts, emotions, and experiences to gain self-awareness, insight, and wisdom.

What practices or experiences have helped you gain the most self-awareness and insight, both on your own and with others?

Try the interactive practice on this skill

The skill of reflection

Intentionally examining your thoughts, emotions, and experiences to gain self-awareness, insight, and wisdom.

Hear this skill read aloud
Read the whole postTry the interactive practiceReflect on this skill for yourself

Adapting it

Ages 13 to 15
Students can trace a ring in the air with one finger if it helps them hold the image.
Ages 16 to 18
Add a private question about what next term might hold, with no promise asked for.

If you have longer

There is a full lesson on this skill, about 40 minutes.

Looking back with care
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