By Dr. Marian Fritzemeier, Ed.D. ©2025
With the end of the year fast approaching, community building circles provide a perfect strategy for scholar reflection. In the article, 22 End of Year Questions to Ask Your Students (3 Types of End-of-Year Questions)1 Steph shares that by asking the right questions scholars can foster shared learning, reflect on personal growth, and recall examples of empathy. A bonus for you is listening for feedback that reinforces what’s gone well and what you may improve. Although the article was not about circles, his three categories and two sample questions I chose for each are ideal.
Prompt Reflection
Prompt reflections promote scholars’ thoughts on their learning.
- “Which assignment helped you learn the best this year?
- What was your most memorable activity from this year?” 1
Celebrate Achievement
Asking scholars to recall both their achievements and challenges helps them connect what they did to outcomes is the second category.
- “What is one thing you achieved this year that you will remember for the rest of your life?
- What was the biggest challenge you overcame this year?” 1
Encourage Empathy
The third category is encouraging scholars to recall the impact of empathy that fostered a positive classroom environment.
- “What was the nicest thing someone in our class did for you this year?
- What might you do differently next year to help support your classmates?” 1
Asking scholars to reflect in these three areas will provide a partial overview of the year. Access the article link for all 22 questions that may fit better with your grade level(s) and scholars’ needs.
Sources:
- Steph, no date. https://ziplet.com/post/3-types-of-end-of-year-questions-to-ask-your-students
- Image 2025 Kim Eddy Designs.