Intentional Close (Optimistic Closure)

What Is It? 

An Intentional Close is a method of bringing closure to a class or meeting and building a bridge to participants' next steps in an intentional way.

Why Use It?

Intentional Close activities help participants 

• make connections between the learning and their own self, 

• demonstrate an appreciation for one another, 

• highlight individual or shared understanding of the content and the purpose of the time together, and 

• reflect on the impact of the lesson or meeting and how it leads to a clear next step.

Instructional Steps: 

As you plan your lesson and meeting, ensure that you set aside time at the end for the intentional close. The Intentional Close itself can be made to fit your needs, but some common ideas are:

• A routine that supports individual reflection on understanding.

• An activity for group summarizing or collective processing.

• A ritual that signals the end of the engagement and transition to something new.

• An opportunity for appreciation for one another, the shared learning, and experience.

Encourage everyone to participate in the activity.