My Next Step

Intentional Close
An intentional close makes space for participants to reflect on their learning and progress, assess their level of confidence, and identify personal next steps. It encourages participants to recognize the contributions they and others have made to the meeting or learning session and highlights the importance of the work.
Description

Close the engagement or class by inviting participants to make a commitment to take immediate action based on the topic and their experience in the session. This creates a bridge from the present moment to the future for each participant and encourages individual ownership of the topic. Actions can range from simply talking to someone about the session to concrete shifts in behaviors.

When and Why

Back to top

Especially useful when the purpose of the engagement includes an expectation of a shift in practices or mindsets. Can also be useful when a goal is to enroll participants in future planning and discussions. Thinking, writing, and stating an intention out loud all increase the likelihood of following through with that intention.

How to Facilitate

Back to top
  1. Reflect on the current context, the demographics of participants, and the purpose of this engagement. 
  2. Ask participants to think of their first next step based on what they learned during the engagement. It might be a conversation, more reading, or thinking more about a topic. 
  3. After giving participants a minute to think about what that step would be, ask them to share their next step with a partner or at their table.
  4. Ask participants to write their “next step” on a sticky note and post the note somewhere they will be reminded of their task, such as on their desk, inside the cover of their related text, or in their assignment notebook, or take a photo with their phone.
  5. Debrief the closing by asking to show a Fist to Five of how likely they are to follow through on their intention.

Modification

Back to top
  • Help participants set up an “accountability partner” from the group to check in with about their action step during the following week.
  • In a virtual environment, use the chat feature or ask participants to verbally share their next step in 7 words or less with the whole group in gallery mode.

How does My Next Step support SEL?

Self-Awareness/Identity:
Participants have an opportunity to understand their own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts. Facilitators consider their own and participants’ identities in the design of the practice.

Self-Management/Agency:
Participants are encouraged to navigate their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations to achieve goals and aspirations. Facilitators create an activity where participants feel empowered to make choices and take actions for the common good.
Access the latest, most trusted information on SEL
Sign up for our newsletters