Today I ended class much like any other day.

 

I change my questions based on what we have seen, and what they may need to just sit with for a moment before we say goodbye. The students are ready to say goodbye, and I share a few words about the day, mostly the great and then something we are still working on as a class. Today, it was that we need to trust ourselves before asking an adult for help, and perhaps also notice a bit more when we are interrupting others.

And then I asked; did I have calm in my body when needed? Did I ask questions when I needed to? Did I help others? Did I notice how I impacted other people? Was I a good friend? Did I help make our school a great school to be at?

We are not in a circle when we do this, I don’t follow a script. It grew out of an organic need for reflection and also a peaceful way to say thank you for today. It takes a minute, two tops. And the questions? Well, I come up with them every day, always making sure there is at least one that every kid will be able to say yes to it.

It is a small thing. It seems a lot of impactful changes are. However, when I shared the practice on Bluesky (follow me here) many said it resonated with them. That it offers kids a way to consider their actions and themselves as a part of the whole. That this practice means we get to end in a few minutes of calm, where we reconnect with the whole day, without being lectured, without belittlement, but just a simple invitation for honest reflection and contemplation of who we are, and who we want to be.

Perhaps this is something you could use as well?

What might these questions be? Here are a few that you can use as you develop your own:

Was I able to find peace in my body?Was I a good friend to others?Was I able to not create conflict or solve it if it happened?Did I participate in the learning today?Did I listen when others spoke?Did I ask questions when I needed?Did I take any good chances today?Did I help make our school a good school to attend?Did I help make our class a great class to attend?If Pernille saw my homeadults, would she be able to share I had a great day?Did I show kindness to someone today?Did I try my best, even when it was hard?Did I include others or make them feel welcome?Did I keep my promises?Did I share something with someone?Did I find something to be proud of?Did I use my time well?Did I notice someone who needed help and offer it?Did I take care of the classroom or school environment?Did I bring good energy to our class today?Did I learn something new about myself or someone else?Did I stay curious and open to ideas?Did I make today better for myself and others?

I usually pick 5-7 depending on the day and I remind the students that they don’t have to share their answers. That this is just for them. At the end, I say the same thing: “And if your answer was no to any of these, then remember that tomorrow is a new day.” The students say it with me, not because I asked them to, but because this is how we end the day. And then we say goodbye.

On Friday’s we say “And if your answer was no to any of these, then remember that Monday starts a new week.” But in Danish, of course.

The students remind me if I am about to forget doing this with them. They take pride both in the days where they can say yes to everything, but also in the days where they reflect and realize that tomorrow is a new day and that they are not defined by their goofy choices. It helps me center the day too, because even in the wackiest of days – and trust me, we have had some that have made me cry due to fights, and awful behavior – there are kids doing good things. We, as a community, are doing good things.

So often community is built in the small moments, in the quiet reflection, so I thought I would offer this up to boost your own practice.