Two Stars and a Wish: Walking Feedback for the Instructor
After a student-led session, the class walks in pairs and prepares two specific positives and one wish for improvement for the day's instructors. It brings heart rates down and practices feedback that is useful and respectful.
How to play
- Easy walk around the gym, quietly recalling the session (2 min).
- Walking in pairs, students prepare two stars and a wish on three focus areas: voice and clarity, cueing changes, and level options; they write it on a card (3 min).
- The day's instructors walk from pair to pair and listen without responding, just saying thanks (3 min).
- The instructors pick one wish and say what they'd change next time (2 min).
Rules
- Every comment must be specific: what happened and when, not "it was good."
- Wishes are phrased positively: "next time you could..."
- Instructors listen without defending themselves.
- No comments about anyone's body or clothes.
Variations
Easier
One star and one wish, with sentence starters on the card.
Standard
Two stars and a wish on three focus areas.
Harder
Each pair also adds one piece of observed data (for example, how many times options were offered).
Adaptations
- Hearing impairment: feedback is handed over in writing on the card as well as spoken.
- Limited mobility: pairs stay in one spot and the instructors move around.
- Instructor anxiety: they can receive only the written cards and read them later.
Learning goals
- Give specific, respectful feedback.
- Take criticism without getting defensive.
- Calm down after effort.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cards: 15
- pens: 15
Teacher tip
Make cards with two stars and a magic wand drawn on them; they make the format easy. The usual problem is vague comments: give a concrete example yourself before starting.
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