michellemeracis-reflections

Michelle Meracis, Dallas Primary School and Kindergarten
 * Reflections **

Please find below examples of my students' reflections.

When my class and I began this journey, I posed the question: //“What are reflections?”//  “Reflections are what you have learnt, what you need to learn and what you are good at.” “Reflections are what you are good at and what you are still learning.” “You reflect on your achievements.” “Reflections are for me what I think and what I feel.” “Reflections are when you write about the goals you set and achieved. It’s kind of like your learning journal. You reflect on things that you have learnt or want to learn, either in the past, the present or the future.”  As you can see, my students’ understandings varied. This was also evident in their personal comments / reflections for their June reports.
 * Baseline Data **

"This year I've enjoyed playing cricket and bat tennis. I've also learnt how to do square roots, round decimals and BODMAS in mathematics." "This year I liked going to the Grand Prix. I liked walking over the bridge on the lake and sitting in the army helicopter." "This year I have learnt how to write neatly. I can finish books quickly and read longer words. I've learnt a little about Roman Numerals but want to learn more." "This year I have enjoyed exploring Kahootz and Scratch on my netbook. I've also liked researching on the internet." "This year I have had good teachers and I have made new friends."   <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> I believe the use of the questions listed below as prompts, as well as the opportunity for students to reflect on <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">things that were important to them in the real world, things they could do and wanted to improve in, helped them to grow and write more detailed responses. The questions also helped my students to think at a deeper level.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">What do I know about this?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">What would I like to know?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">What can I already do?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">What would I like to be able to do?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">What am I expected to learn?
 * <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msofareastlanguage: ZH-CN; msolist: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Have I done anything like this before?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Why is this important / useful?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">What do I need to find out more about?
 * <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msofareastlanguage: ZH-CN; msolist: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">What sort of thinking or thinking strategies could be useful?
 * <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msofareastlanguage: ZH-CN; msolist: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">What confuses / challenges / interests me?
 * <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msofareastlanguage: ZH-CN; msolist: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">What can I do to help my learning / thinking?
 * <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msofareastlanguage: ZH-CN; msolist: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">What can I do to help others? What can others do to help me?
 * <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msofareastlanguage: ZH-CN; msolist: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">What would I do differently next time?
 * <span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msofareastlanguage: ZH-CN; msolist: Ignore;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">How will I show that I have achieved the goal?

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> Please find below some examples of student reflections during this journey.

<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">"I am a fast runner. I am good at running. I came first at the Athletics Carnival. I am going to the Athletics Finals. I want to get a place at the Finals. I need to practise to get better. I will practise at recess and lunch time. I will also practise after school." <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> <span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">"I like playing netball. I can play basketball too. I am good at shooting goals but sometimes I forget, with netball, where I can go. I’d like to play netball after school. I am going to ask my mum if I can join a team. If I play netball after school, I will get better."

<span style="color: #ff66ff; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">"I was really silly during terms 1 to 3 so during term 4, I am going to do my work and try not to be so bad to the teacher. I’ll try not to talk back. I will listen to her and not do what my friends are doing." <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastlanguage: ZH-CN;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 150%; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastlanguage: ZH-CN;">   <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Last week I asked my students again, ‘What are reflections?’ I wasn’t surprised to see a change in their responses.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Post Data **

<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“When I reflect, I now ask myself questions about how I think I went, what I would do differently next time and what I still need to do.”

<span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">“Reflections are about questions and ideas and making connections with your learning and the real world.”

<span style="color: #ff66ff; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“When I reflect, I now include more information like how I feel and why I feel that way, as well as why I did things that way.”

<span style="color: #9900cc; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Reflections aren't just about school work. You can reflect on anything and everything.”

<span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Reflecting helps me work out what I still need to do.” <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Please find below examples of my students’ comments for their December reports:

<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">“This term I have learnt how to retell stories and identify the main idea. I have tried really hard to listen to Miss Salouris in class so I understand things better. I sometimes practise what I learn at school at home. This term I enjoyed going to the Lego Education Centre. I learnt how to make stable towers and bridges, just like the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This term I learnt how to order decimals with different decimal places from smallest to largest. I can now multiply decimals too. I first count how many decimals places there are in the questions. I know that that's how many decimal places there will be in the answer. I have improved saying my times tables too. I read my tables at home over and over again. I still need to work on multiplying fractions. I will ask Miss Meracis for help but I have to practise what she shows me at home so I can remember. I get confused with what numbers to times and what numbers I can cancel out.”

<span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">“This year I learnt how to do long multiplication. In math groups, Miss Meracis put a few questions up on the board and showed us how to do it step by step. I practised long multiplication at home every day until I understood how to do it. This year I improved my interest in books. I can finally understand the author’s message. I understand whether the author is trying to persuade or entertain the reader. This year I enjoyed doing JRock. We all had so much fun performing in front of the audience. The costumes looked really nice and colourful. Our performance was excellent. I liked watching the other schools’ performances too.”

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi; msoasciithemefont: minor-bidi; msobidifontfamily: Arial; msobidithemefont: minor-bidi; msohansithemefont: minor-bidi;">Please also find below some recorded reflections. My students use a variety of mediums to reflect: <span style="color: #00b050; display: block; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastlanguage: ZH-CN; text-align: center;"> media type="file" key="mm12.wmv" width="300" height="300" <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msofareastlanguage: ZH-CN;">media type="file" key="mm13.wmv" width="300" height="300"
 * pen and paper
 * netbooks
 * flip videos

​Smart Thinking | Learning Journey | Reflections