Two Stars and a Wish

In pairs, while stretching gently, students give each other two specific positives about their partner's performance in class and one concrete suggestion. It builds respectful peer feedback, listening and constructive language.

How to play

1. Pair students with someone they worked with during class and seat them facing each other (1 min).
2. Explain the format: two "stars" (specific things done well) and one "wish" (something to improve, starting with "Next time you could...").
3. Give good and weak examples: "You played well" is vague; "You always moved to open space" is specific (1 min).
4. While both hold a seated leg stretch, the first student gives two stars and a wish; the other just listens and says thanks (2 min).
5. Switch roles and stretches (back or shoulders) (2 min).
6. Wrap-up: two or three volunteers share a wish they received and plan to work on (1 min).

Rules

• Stars and wishes must be specific and respectful.
• The receiver doesn't argue or make excuses; just listen.
• Comment on performance only, never on someone's body or looks.
• Hold the stretch without bouncing while you talk.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: replace the stretches with neck and shoulder mobility in a chair or wheelchair.
• Shy students: they may write their stars and wish instead of saying them aloud.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: partners sit directly face to face to support lip reading.

Learning goals

• Evaluate a classmate's performance using specific criteria.
• Share suggestions for improvement respectfully.
• Accept constructive feedback as a tool for learning.

Teacher tip

Early comments tend to be generic; model one with a student first. Assign pairs yourself if there has been recent conflict in the class.

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