Reflection Journals and Data Folders

Blogging has always been my way to reflect on what was working in my classroom and the lessons that I've been learning as a teacher. When I started blogging 13ish years ago it was a very stressful year and I needed to remember at least one good thing per day. I would share it and then the internet could help me celebrate. :) This website has also been a record for myself, that I can look back to see how I've grown as a teacher.

I do a lot of reflection with my students too, and that's something I've brought with me whatever age that I'm teaching. When I bumped up to 8th I brought the same routines with me that I know worked.

Reflection Journals:

The first week of school I pass out little notebooks to my students and they add their name to the front. We brainstorm the type of person we want to be during the year. Then we use them every Friday for reflections and some other things as well. I tell them that they are creating a timeline of their 8th grade year. 

Every Friday it's my bellringer for History class (the 2nd time I see them during the day). They date the entry and do a quick 3, 2, 1, <3

3 things they learned that week in any subject

2 things they are proud of

1 goal for next week

They can do an emotion check as well. <3 

It is quick, they grab their notebook from their class' basket and when done they put it back. Some volunteers always want to share.

Our middle school does weekly grade checks during homeroom, so we don't do many grades in there, but for progress reports and report cards we do reflect in our notebooks as well. What is an area they are proud of, and what's an area that they want to grow.

Each trimester we do a much deeper dive into creating goals and that also goes into the notebooks - looking at each subject's skills closely. All in all, I'm still thankful I could bring that up to 8th grade.

What exact notebooks do I use? I like the multi colors so it's easier for kids to find their exact one. Not a huge amount of pages, but we use most of them throughout the year. My dad has been donating them to my classroom. Thanks Dad!

Other reflections that we do are using Data Folders.

I shared about them years ago... but here's the middle school version. I just have them bar graph their learning after pre and post tests, or quizzes by subject. So one square will be history quizzes, another square for ELA quizzes, and another for vocabulary. I want to make sure they are actually looking at their Aeries grades, so approx. every 3 weeks we are spending time pulling out the data folders and opening up Aeries to actually look at their grades. It's usually a whole class end of class task. We spend other times doing error analysis for specifics as to why, etc, but these data folders are for an overview.

The other part is reflecting on the parts of the ELA units and giving themselves a 4,3,2,1. For example our first unit is mainly parts of plot, writing plot summaries, and learning about types of conflict - each skill gets it's own line. They rate themselves to see how they are understanding it. I like them to also see how much they have grown.

4 - I understand it so much that I can teach it to someone else

3 - I got it but can't teach someone else

2 - I almost got it but am still sometimes confused

1 - I am still so lost

Glancing at their 4,3,2,1's I can see what areas they need to build their confidence and skills. It's a reference for them and me when we are doing review. 

Every kid has a file folder with both of these print outs stapled inside and then we add more copies as the year progresses. 

Hope this helps!