[etni] reflection journals

Dear colleagues and friends..

Because I am so excited , I want to share a nice idea with you all.  For
those of you who know me you know that I am a bit of '"freak" on working
with my pupils on learning how to think, how to assess themselves and how to
take responsibility.  Well this year I decided to expand the way I work on
this with two of my classes and I am really pleased with the kids'
responses.  Once a week , at the end of the week, the kids write in a small
notebook , a reflection on the week in English class. I guide them with
certain questions and they spend the last 10 minutes of the last lesson of
the week , writing.  So far it's been great.  For instance today I had them
write down ONE positive thing, ONE negative thing, ONE thing that was
interesting and ONE thing they felt they had learned in class this week.  I
tell them they must write one negative thing because, let's face it.. kids
need to vent JUST like us !! AND why not.

The first week the kids wrote down what their responsibility was in class
and a goal they wanted to attain.  As a teacher it's fantastic for  me to
read as I get to know my pupils , And for the kids it allows them to learn
to think about where they are, why they are there and where they are going.
In short, it gets them to think, reflect and assess themselves.

In the past I have done this too but not in the notebook style.. It's a bit
like a dialogue journal as I don't correct, but only respond, but the issue
they write about  are really only based  on weekly reflection etc.. This
week it was extremely  interesting to read that most of the kids ( a new 9th
grade class ) thought the most positive thing in class was me speaking ONLY
in English. And by reading the negative things.. (most wrote something
negative although a few didn't) I can see what interests them and what
bothers them. ( usually things, like getting a low grade, or too much
homework etc..)

So I highly recommend you try something like this. Whether , once a week or
once a month.. Teach your kids to reflect ,  assess themselves and become
active thinkers.. (yes , even weaker kids can do this with guidance )..

Wishing all of you a restful and joyful  vacation.  Shana Tova and Hag
Samach.  Aviva Shapiro

-- 
Try and Fail BUT Never Fail to try !!!

Other related posts: