Guest Blogger: Jill Hnat, WKHS This year, as White Knoll High delves into new strategies to encourage student self-direction and success, the power of reflection has been a common motif. As teachers we are asked to regularly reflect on a wide variety of issues in our profession. At first I went through the motions and, like most things, I “faked it until I made it.” I recognized how deliberate reflection was impacting my teaching and students’ learning in my classes (with a side benefit of NOT waking up at 2 a.m. to rehash what went wrong with my previous day.) But, how could I use reflection IN my French classes? I want my students to seriously consider what works for them when learning something new. My students didn’t have the language to do that! Is it worth the time? Is it defensible? YES! The 15 minutes we spend at the start of the week on Monday to set goals and the minutes on Friday to reflect on how successful we were at meeting those goals are well worth the effort. My colleague Mandy Domenech started the weekly reflections to create a sense of community with her classes. When she shared her ideas with me, I decided to take a different approach - “Action Plans” for my students. Every Monday my students copy the weekly goals I have posted on the board, then they set up what will help them reach those goals. Typical plans are: I will not give up and stick to French when I ask questions. I will use the resources posted around the room. I will review what I did the day before. The most popular part of the exercise is the affirmation statement that they can add to their action plans to give themselves a “push” to continue. Yesterday, as a part of 17 Days of Kindness, several of the students posted their affirmation statements to encourage their peers. Is reflection a part of your teaching process? If so, leave a comment explaining how.
6 Comments
Anne-Marie Bausch
5/4/2018 09:47:28 am
Great ideas! We should all be doing this. Thanks for sharing.
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Mandy Domenech
5/4/2018 09:49:36 am
Affirmation statements are SO powerful! Even if it just carries a student through the rest of an 80 minute or 45 minute class. They can totally change the attitude of a group of students and bring about a point of focus that is PERSONAL to them.
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Gina Paredes
5/4/2018 11:21:05 am
I encourage my elementary school to have a good attitude and to do an effort in every class to learn something new. Languages always have something new to teach you! At the end of each class they reflect about how was their attitude and if they did an effort to learn. If they did they stick a point in the chart and have a prize when they complete 12 stickers!
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Dawn Samples
5/4/2018 01:23:20 pm
I love this! This is such a strong life skill and will help them become stronger learners at life! Awesome practice!
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Kimberly Freeman
5/5/2018 07:26:53 pm
I love this! I need to make myself do it every week, too :)
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Jill Hnat
5/9/2018 08:22:14 am
Me too!! It makes such a difference when I stop and actually THINK instead of living in reaction mode - especially this time of year.
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