I recently read an article stating “the key to becoming a successful educator is reflection.” The author encouraged teachers to make self-reflection a daily habit. My initial reaction was, “Daily reflection! Good gravy! When is a teacher supposed to squeeze that in?” But, after a moment, I realized I was thinking about this all wrong. In fact, after a bit of reflection 🙂 , I realized I routinely revisited the events of my teaching day as I completed routine tasks, such as tidying up the classroom and organizing supplies for the following day. So even though I didn’t keep a written account of my successes and failures (which is a fabulous idea if you can swing it), I took mental notes of what did and did not go well.
When do you mull over your teaching successes and challenges? What works for you? What have you learned about yourself as a teacher through self-reflection?
Thoughtfully,
Diane
This was really encouraging to me, because I don’t really have the time to sit down and write about my day that often, but I do have time to think about it as I do the routine things at the end of the day. I never thought of those thought patterns as reflection, so I guess I do 🙂
After a lesson or at the end of the school day, I use a sticky note and write down any things that worked well or what needs to be changed. This way it makes it quick and I only record things of importance for the next time I do the lesson.
I usually write it right on either my lesson plan, really good, or put an x on it and say not so good! If it’s something I found on the internet I’ll print it off, and if it’s good I keep it with a star, or happy face, if it’s bad I throw it!
I think about the day as I am cleaning up and on the drive home. That is my reflection. I don’t write things down but I have been known to add notes to my plan books about some of the activities we have done that day. If I find a activity takes longer I put it in my book, if the activity just didn’t work I put it in and write down what went wrong, and lastly some activities that were flops i put a x through. That way i know the following year what worked and did not work.
What those dreaded teacher evaluations teach you is how to do reflections on your own lessons. So I do reflect on my teaching, but like you I don’t usually write these reflections down. I should, but who has time and energy?
It IS important to reflect on what worked and what didn’t work each day. After 30 years of teaching, I still reflect each day – usually in the car on my way home. But, I also reflect after each lesson – I think we all do instinctively. What worked – what didn’t – what will I do differently next time.
I take time for reflection during the childrens’ rest time. I sit with several children each afternoon, rubbing their backs as they drift off to sleep. While I’m sitting there, I think about the morning’s activities and the things I’ve said and done with my class of four and five year olds. I find myself reliving conversations with the children, hoping that I haven’t unknowingly said something that chipped away at their confidence or drained them of their enthusiasm for learning. I try to be positive in the way I interact with them, but we all have our moments, don’t we? I cherish that time with my kids; it’s my time to reflect and our time to connect:)
I reflect on my way home from school (I have a 25 minute drive) and again in the morning on the way there. No one can interrupt me and it is a good way to debrief before the duties at home hit me.
Reflection is so good…..whether you write it down or just reflect mentally. I would love to say that I keep an incredible journal with all my reflections that I do several times a day but I wouldn’t be honest. I too, only reflect mentally. I usually at the end of my school day when I have a chance to sit. What went right, what went wrong, how the students reacted, were the students engaged, etc.? My goal this year is to take two minute to jot down my reflections at the end of the day and reread those reflections during the summer in order to make the following year more productive.