--- title: "Reflection and Learning Exercises: Choose a Format" description: "Compare six formats for reviewing shared work, checking understanding, recording appreciation or learning from an experience. Each links to its current instructions, timing and materials." last_updated: "2026-09-21" canonical: "https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/for-reflection-and-learning/" --- # Reflection and Learning Exercises: Choose a Format Compare six formats for reviewing shared work, checking understanding, recording appreciation or learning from an experience. Each links to its current instructions, timing and materials. ## Start with the learning task Choose from the task participants need to do. A recall check revisits recent material. A debrief examines a shared activity. A project review looks for changes in how people work. Harvest creates a new experience to examine. ### [One Minute Note](https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/one-minute-note-the-teacher-toolkit/) **5 minutes; 4 to 24 people.** After a short teaching or reading segment, collect one minute of written or sketched recall and clarify a few responses. **Check before you choose:** Use for immediate recall, not a full project retrospective. Offer writing, sketching or a voice memo and optional speaking. If notes will be collected, say so before writing. ### [Rose Debrief](https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/simple-debrief-tool-to-process-group-experiences-rose-debrief/) **10 minutes; 3 to 24 people.** Gather a highlight and a challenge, then invite a few common patterns across the group. **Check before you choose:** With exactly five people, use the stated 45-second turns; otherwise follow the small-group plan. Participants may pass on either prompt. This is not private conflict mediation. ### [Proud and Sorry](https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/proud-and-sorry/) **15 minutes; 4 to 24 people.** Compare one accomplishment and one disappointment from shared work, then agree one practical adjustment per small group. **Check before you choose:** Use with people who share relevant work history. Keep personal notes private unless their authors choose otherwise; passing is allowed. Hybrid delivery needs individual audio equipment and separated speaking positions. ### [Gratitude Jar](https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/mindful-reflection-activity-to-express-gratitude-gratitude-jar/) **15 minutes; 4 to 24 people.** Write concrete accomplishments or appreciated actions on slips and keep them in a personal container. **Check before you choose:** Prepare a jar or sturdy container, paper strips and a pen for each person. Sharing remains optional. Skip this format during an active crisis or unresolved group conflict. ### [Narrative Workshop](https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/narrative-workshop/) **90 minutes; 6 to 24 people.** Write accounts of specific work incidents, compare them in small groups and organize observations into obstacles, turning points and lessons. **Check before you choose:** Reserve the full 90 minutes and prepare the Story Capture Guide. Participants choose the details they share or may pass. Avoid acute crisis or hostile conditions; hybrid delivery requires the stated individual devices and headsets. ### [Harvest](https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/pfp-january-2005/) **15 minutes; 3 to 15 people.** Run Harvest to observe how individual token-taking affects a shared replenishing pool, then connect the observed pattern to work. **Check before you choose:** This creates a new learning experience; it does not review a completed project. The in-person plan needs a bowl, 150 to 200 counters, a chime, timer and board. Participants may observe or record totals instead of taking tokens. ## Selection limits - These are UWT selection suggestions based on the linked run sheets. Read the sources, adaptations and participation choices before running an exercise. - Choose for the actual time, group size and materials shown. Sharing personal experiences is optional; read the access and participation choices in each run sheet. - The catalog below includes varied activities. Check each purpose and output before choosing it for a reflection session. ## Sources and selection notes - [One Minute Note source note](https://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/one-minute-note): Observed in The Teacher Toolkit as 'One Minute Note', documented as an instructional check-for-understanding strategy. The linked UWT run sheet states its adaptations and complete instructions. - [Rose Debrief source note](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/debriefing-activities/rose-debrief/): Observed on Playmeo, credited to Mark Collard. The Rose and Thorn reflection structure is an established facilitation format widely used in education and experiential learning. The linked UWT run sheet states its adaptations and complete instructions. - [Proud and Sorry source note](https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/proud-and-sorry/): Observed in the Relationship Makers Handbook (page 329). The linked UWT run sheet states its adaptations and complete instructions. - [Gratitude Jar source note](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/debriefing-activities/gratitude-jar): Observed in Playmeo documentation, where the activity is attributed to Lisa Laura. The linked UWT run sheet states its adaptations and complete instructions. - [Narrative Workshop source note](https://participatorymethods.com/activities/narrative-workshop/): Observed in Participatory Methods library ('Narrative workshop'). The linked UWT run sheet states its adaptations and complete instructions. - [Harvest source note](https://thiagi.net/archive/www/pfp/IE4H/january2005.html): Observed in Play for Performance (January 2005), published by The Thiagi Group, featuring the simulation game Harvest attributed to Dennis Meadows. The linked UWT run sheet states its adaptations and complete instructions. Editorial review: 2026-09-21. ## Browse the wider catalog 852 exercises. The catalog includes varied activities. Check each purpose and output before choosing it for a reflection session. [Browse all catalog entries](https://unitedwetransform.com/icebreakers/?goal=reflection_and_learning) [Browse the focused retrospectives and reflection collection](https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/for-retros-and-reflection/) ## Sitemap Full list of markdown-mirrored pages: https://unitedwetransform.com/sitemap.md