End-of-Year Reflection

The two most common meanings of the word “reflection” are:

To think, ponder, or meditate

and

An image cast back by a still surface like a pond or mirror

When we talk about reflecting on our teaching, we are incorporating both meanings.  Reflection means that we spend time in deep thought about the teaching and learning that has occurred.  We think about what was learned, how it was learned and the connections with previous experiences.  We also see ourselves:  we look at our instruction critically, understanding ourselves as teachers and our students as learners.  We see both what we and our students know and what we still need to know.

Reflection includes serious thinking and questioning; it requires self-awareness and honesty.  Effective reflection includes concrete and specific examples and analysis – breaking ideas down into component parts and considering how to put them back together again in new ways. 

As the busy end of the year approaches, coaches can assist teachers in pausing for reflection in several ways:

*Send out an e-mail with reflective questions for self-pondering

*Set up end-of-year coaching conferences for reflection

*Ask for time at an upcoming faculty meeting and facilitate peer-to-peer

  reflection

Here are some reflective questions that might get teachers started:

*What have my students learned?

*How did I go about determining what was learned?

*What have I learned from this experience?

*What learning experiences were the most valuable?  Why?

*What learning experiences were less valuable?  Why?

*What more do I need to learn about this approach/concept/topic?

As the school year winds down, providing time for reflection is a valuable gift you can give the teachers you are working with.  

This week, you might want to take a look at:

A video suggesting that students reflect on their “Shining Moment.”  Share this idea so teachers can use it with their students, or consider how you might modify it as a coaching tool:

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/celebrating-student-achievement?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest

A podcast about motivating readers:

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/articles-detail-view.php?id=922

A video about developing a passion for math:

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/passion-for-math?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest

Join the “Teachers Write” community. Kate Messner and guest authors post daily. Themes span mini-lessons, quick writes, Q&A sessions, and feedback:

http://www.katemessner.com/teachers-write/

Cookie sheet activities for word work and early numeracy (project for summer planning and preparation!):

http://blog.maketaketeach.com/the-cookie-sheet-challenge/

That’s it for this week.  Happy Coaching!