End of Year Reflection Gallery Walk
Adaptable for Any Content Area
The end of the year can be challenging for students and teachers alike. I love this activity because it involves movement, reflection and caretaking.
End of Year Reflection Gallery Walk
Learn more about variations on gallery walks here.
Purpose:
To honor each student’s voice, build belonging, and reflect on growth—both academic and personal—across languages and cultures.
How to do it:
Prompt Students (in advance or with scaffolds):
Ask them to create a one-page visual or written reflection answering prompts like:“Something I’m proud of this year…”
“A challenge I overcame…”
“What I’ve learned about myself…”
“Something I learned in this class that was meaningful...”
“What I want my teachers to remember about me…”
*ML scaffolds: Sentence frames, home language use encouraged, allow visuals/drawings and other tools.
Set Up the Gallery:
Have students put up their reflections around the classroom.Gallery Walk:
Students walk around in small groups or individually, read/view reflections, and leave specific, affirmative feedback using sticky notes.
Whole Class Debrief:
Discuss shared themes, celebrate academic learning, and affirm students' growth.
Why?
Culturally sustaining pedagogy: Affirms home languages and identities.
Accessible: Can be multimodal—drawing, writing, speaking.
Socially meaningful: Encourages peer recognition and pride.
Emotionally grounding: Offers closure and belonging at year’s end.
Have you done gallery strolls before? What works?