Reading Reflection #10

• It is important to set aside time for reflection. Taking time to reflect helps students feel good about their accomplishments, but more importantly, reflection can be the thing that makes learning really stick. When students create their own meaning, it's important that they look at it from al sides while meaning is taking shape, and then view it from a distance as they get ready to step beyond the experience to the next learning challenge. Setting aside time for conscious reflection helps students reveal things they might not otherwise think about what they learned, their growth as learners, and what they want to learn in projects ahead.
• The reason students need to plan reflections and elaborate is to know and understand what they learned and their growth. The end of the project is a time to think about growth in learning dispositions. During projects, students experience challenges, frustrations, and joy. Give them an opportunity to reflect on ways they overcame obstacles or persisted when the work was hard. Encourage them to think about how their own creativity came into play to move the project forward.
• Schools can build tradition and identity. Some schools are sports powerhouses. A school and a community rally around the team. Some schools send students to science competitions where they medal year after year. When families, the community, and students coming up through the grades know what you are up to, you have a foundation for tradition. As community members being to notice and value students' accomplishments, they will give you enthusiastic support. After a time, they will expect to be involved. Invite them in. Show how your class accomplishments are the result of students' commitment to their own learning.
• Celebrating in the classroom lets the students know that what they did was great, they were successful, and that you are proud of what they've done. Show students work, put on an event, create a blog, or hold a party. Any way you do it, celebrate learning, and build your school's identity as a place where kids get to learn through projects.
• This chapter had topics that relate to what I am doing in my project in class. We have to reflect and elaborate after our project to know what we have learned and go over it. We have to maintain tradition and keep a good identity as well. We make sure we celebrate after we accomplished our goal because we deserve it.