Year 4, Mini Lesson 2.4 – Showcase and Celebration

Semester Learning Goal

Students will investigate community needs, reflect on personal values, and apply design thinking to develop a values-aligned project idea. Through research, collaboration, and iteration, they will explore what it means to do Good Work as a good person, good worker, and good citizen.

Lesson Goal
Students will present their Capstone Projects to peers, educators, and/or community members. This lesson celebrates their year-long journey.

Assessment

  • Observe presentation clarity, audience engagement, and evidence of reflection and alignment.

Resources

  • Presentation or display materials representing each student’s capstone project

  • Optional: certificates of completion

Total Time

Discrentionary

Instructions

1. Opener: Setting the Tone for Celebration

  • Welcome students to the final showcase. Explain:

    • “Today is a celebration of your Capstone journey. You began this work by defining a meaningful problem, prototyping a solution, and building a foundation for action. You then took what you created and implemented real-world action.”

  • Briefly review logistics and expectations:

    • Be kind, curious, and celebratory toward your peers

    • Speak clearly and reflect on your why as well as your what

    • Listen with the same respect you hope to receive

2. Poster Presentations

  • POP UP - This is one way to allow students to share their capstone experiences. You may wish to run the final presentations in a different format, which is completely up to you as the teacher!

  • Set up a classroom, conference room, or hallway for poster presentations, where students stand next to their display, project board, digital device, or prototype. 

  • Divide the class in half: one half presents while the other half peruses the room as audience members.

  • Halfway through the time you have allotted, each half should switch roles.

  • Depending on the size of your class, and if time allows, you might consider including a Peer Spotlights activity.

    • After each half of the class has a chance to present, gather the full class.

    • Invite volunteers to “spotlight” a peer project they admired.

    • Use prompts such as:

      • Whose project really inspired you—and why?

      • What was something you learned from someone else’s project?

      • What values did you see expressed across multiple projects?

    • Encourage celebration, connection, and recognition of each other’s contributions.

3. Closing: Good Work in Action Ceremony or Acknowledgment

  • End the session by acknowledging the collective effort and growth of the class. 

  • You may offer:

    • Certificates of completion or personalized notes

    • A few words recognizing the courage it takes to do values-driven work

    • An invitation to reflect on how they will keep practicing the 3 Es of Good Work in the next chapter of their lives

Gratitude Note

Optional Enrichment – Gratitude Note:

Write a quick thank-you to someone who helped you along the way (classmate, teacher, interviewee, family member). This is a small act of Good Work that strengthens the community.

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