What if one simple back-to-school activity could set the tone for your entire year?
Let me tell you about the vision pennant back to school activity that changed everything for me. It might look like a simple triangle of paper, but this one little assignment has had a huge impact on my students, my classroom culture, and how we set goals from Day 1.
Why I Created the Vision Pennant
On the first day of school, I want students to feel seen. For my first-year math students, I usually let them “let it all out.” Many of them carry frustration from past math experiences: a long-term sub who didn’t explain things clearly, a teacher who wasn’t very effective, or a time they were out sick or injured and just never caught up.
But for my second-year students—the ones taking the IB Math Applications and Interpretation exam in May—Day 1 is about focus. I want them to start the year with a goal. A real one. A vision they can work toward.
That’s why I created the Vision Pennant.
How I Use the Vision Pennant Back to School Activity in Class
Students are given a printable pennant and asked to set a goal score for their IB exam: 4, 5, 6, or 7 (a 4 is the lowest passing score). I make it clear—this isn’t about impressing me. It’s about identifying what they truly want and believe they can achieve.
They find a photo of themselves (I tell them no baby pictures or anything inappropriate—trust me, set the boundary early!). Then they decorate their pennant and place their goal score in big, bold numbers.
But it doesn’t stop there.
On the back, they write three actionable, measurable steps they plan to take to reach that goal. Not vague promises like “do all my homework” — I guide them to be specific:
- “Spend 30 minutes reviewing my notes each day”
- “Watch the YouTube video before class on the next day’s topic”
- “Look over the previous day’s notes before the bell rings”
I remind them to write their name on the back (you’d be shocked how many forget). I also give clear instructions on which way the pennant will hang so no one writes upside down.
These pennants get displayed around the room—on the walls, ceilings, bulletin boards. I string them across the classroom, and they stay up all year.
How It Shifted My Classroom Culture
This activity gives me early insight into my students’ mindsets. It tells me:
- Who takes the time to make something meaningful
- Who rushes through it or turns in a blank
- Who dreams big, and who plays it safe
It’s also something I refer back to three times a year:
- At the start of the school year
- Midway through the year
- Right before the IB exam
I use a reflection sheet to help students revisit their goals and revise or recommit.
Parents love them too. On back-to-school night, they walk around the room reading what their child has written and smile at the photo. It opens conversations and shows families that we’re focused on goal-setting from the very first week.
✨ Tips for Teachers Who Want to Try It
-
-
📌 Print on bright paper or cardstock to make your display pop and instantly draw attention.
-
✍️ Require names on the back—you’ll thank yourself later when grading or reflecting.
-
💭 Coach them toward meaningful, specific goals (and if it looks rushed or careless, offer a do-over without penalty).
-
🧵 Display with hole punches and yarn as a banner or line your bulletin boards and classroom walls.
-
🔍 Use as powerful evidence during parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, or teacher evaluations to show student ownership and reflection.
-
It’s a low-prep, high-impact activity that helps students practice reflection, accountability, and self-awareness. I’ve read books like Atomic Habits and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — and this aligns with those ideas of micro-goals and intentional habits. Read more about SMART goals here.
Ready to Try It?
This Vision Pennant is one of the most affordable products in my store, but it might be the most powerful. It stays up all year. It gets students talking. It gives parents insight. It even adds a splash of color to your classroom.
Grab the Vision Pennant Back to School Activity here and kick off your year with purpose.
Final Thoughts
Students need a goal to reach towards.
Having it visible reminds them daily of what they’re aiming for. And that matters. This year, I’m even considering printing a color copy for each student to keep in their binder or work space, or a digital version they can save as their phone background.
It’s fun. It’s creative. It’s meaningful.
And it tells me so much about who they are and how they think.
🎁 Free Bonus for IB Teachers
👉 Grab your FREE Confident Math AI SL Teacher Blueprint here – a 5-step guide packed with strategies and clarity to help you teach IB Math AI SL with confidence!
Want to make your math class run smoother this year?
Grab my free guide: 7 Ways to Level Up Your Math Class — 7 quick strategies to reduce stress, boost student engagement, and save your sanity (without sacrificing rigor).
👉 Click here to get the free guide now!
If you’re interested in how I measure student progress, check out this post on using a diagnostic math test.
Visit my TpT store, Teaching from A-Z, to purchase the algebra 1 practice test with answers pdf, the algebra 2 practice test with answers pdf, diagnostic test for geometry, pre algebra practice test with answers and the diagnostic test for IB Math Applications and Interpretation, and explore other resources designed to make your teaching life easier. With the right tools, you can work smarter, not harder, and help your students achieve their full potential.
This blog post shared one powerful back-to-school activity that helps students set goals, stay motivated, and take ownership of their learning from Day 1.
Other posts you may like:
-
13 BEST Techniques for Classroom Management To Instantly Transform Your Secondary Classroom
-
Lesson Planning Template FREE plus Lesson Planning Tips Every Teacher Must Know
Leave a Reply