As preservice teachers we were taught to ask ourselves how our lessons went that day, how the students received the lessons and what we could have done differently. But do seasoned teachers actually practice this? I beleive they do.
Different teachers approach reflecting on their lessons in various ways. Some teachers keep a journal about their teaching. Some even include their reflection process as apart of their lesson plans. Others might blog about a particular lesson, take in the constructive criticism of others and be able to adjust their ideas about teaching the lesson for the next time around. Still others may video themselves during instruction so that they may gain a new perspective when reflecting on the day.
Many teachers talk to a grade or teaching partner to gain some perspective. I fall into this category. Because there are 4 teachers in my grade and that we each teach 2 subjects, there is another teacher who teaches the same subjects that I teach. We are constantly bouncing ideas off of each other and questioning what we could do differently. I also keep a notebook for each subject or topic that I teach. Within each notebook, I keep notes to myself about what I think could be changed for the better and even what worked wonderfully.
So what works for you? Or do you think that this is a completely unnecessary practice?
I believe reflection is a necessary and vital practice in teaching. It is important for teachers to continuously think about their lessons and their students' learning in order to improve and ensure that their lessons are successful. However, I think it is up to the teacher to decide what works best for them when it comes to reflection.
ReplyDeleteAs a preservice teacher, I remember having to write reflections at the end of every lesson plan as well as keeping a reflection journal. These are both great practices, but I have not kept up either during my professional career. Since I am now co-teaching, most of my reflection comes from discussing and going over lessons with my teaching partner. I find it very helpful to talk things out with another teacher. When I was teaching by myself, I still did not write down my reflections. I did, however, constantly think about my lessons and revise things as needed. I have just always been one to do this step more in my head or through talking to others rather than through writing.
I believe that self reflection is a necessary practice in education. Deciding what works and what does not work only strengthens teachers. The unique part of our job is the variety of skills and needs each student has and because we typically have a different set of students each year I think it would only be doing the students a disservice to not reflect on how each lesson goes. I enjoy discussing and reflecting with my colleagues, but I also enjoy speaking with my students. In math specifically, I enjoy asking my students to self access and tell me how they feel about concepts they learn. I often ask them to put their heads down, shut their eyes and show me one finger if they feel really confident about what they are doing, two fingers if they would like a little more practice and three fingers if they feel confused still. I am usually able to gauge who will respond with two or three fingers, but I enjoy having them be aware.
ReplyDelete@Heather I too do this step mostly in my head. I jot those notes on a sticky most times to place in my copybook which contains my lessons written out step by step. But discussing them with my teaching partner is really helpful too.
ReplyDelete@Chera I think it is great that you have the kids involved in the reflection process in such a simple, age-appropriate way.
I'm wondering what 'constantly bouncing ideas off one another' looks like?
ReplyDeleteKeeping a journal is a great tool for reflection. Does your team have any tool like a journal that all are able to access and use for group reflection?