Last week I talked about how we can reflect on ourselves. This involved looking at things we should stop doing, start doing, and continue doing. I think that it is a valuable part of our teaching and learning for us to take the time to reflect. But what about our kids? I also believe that reflection for them is a really important part of their learning. We are taught to teach and give assessments, but then what? Do students really understand what they gained from all that happened and all that they were exposed to? Did they take ownership of their learning? How do they feel about the work that they accomplished?
I started researching on the internet and there are a lot of different strategies and resources that you can use to help students reflect! I found a resource on Edutopia that I found really exceptional. From the link that I'll provide, you can access 40 reflection questions for your students. I will say that I think this might be somewhat difficult to do in younger grades, because students are still learning to take ownership of their learning. However, I still think that it's possible if you really want to take the time to have your students learn the value of reflecting.
There are four different types of questions that are included on the resource: backward-looking, inward-looking, outward-looking, and forward-looking. Choosing a few different questions from the different types would help students reflect on the overall experience and learning that took place. This could happen in several ways. Finding creative outlets for students would take them to the next level. This is also a great opportunity to incorporate critical thinking and communication in the classroom.
I look forward to the upcoming semester and taking time to have my students and myself reflect. We can use the time to learn together. I encourage you to check out the 40 reflection questions and put it away in your resources! Good luck to everyone as they round up the semester and embark on their next journey!
Download the questions from the link below:
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteWhat great questions to ask our students!! Thank you so much for sharing! I especially love the connection you made to using these questions to incorporate the 4Cs in our classrooms. Thanks for your encouragement about trying this out in K-2. I know it will be challenging (esp. initially), but I would love to adapt some of these questions and think of ways to introduce ownership of learning to my first graders!! Great post, friend. Love you!
-Meredith
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the article that you included about ways for students to reflect. I think that it is important for students to be able to reflect and take learning to a higher level. I really liked how you connected the questions to the 4C's. Great Blog!
Lauren, I am so glad to have been a part of this journey with you and to have gained such a wonderful friend! The reflection questions are great- I think it is really important that we shift ownership of learning to the students. That makes it so much more meaningful and impactful for them! While it can be a challenge for younger students, I think it is important that we go ahead and get them thinking about their learning and reflecting! Great post with some helpful insights, Lauren! I will definitely keep these questions for reference!
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