Reflection on Chapter 10 - Celebrating and Reflecting

As with the last chapter in this book, Chapter 10 resonated with me.  I am a firm believer in the reflection process, and believe that to take the time for student reflection is some of the most meaningful work we can give to students.  They need to process what they have learned in their own way.  The author writes on page 147, "reflection can be the thing that makes learning really stick."  Reflection time is student alone time with their thoughts, without the pressures of talking a loud in a class, or talking among their peers.  It is essential for kids to look back on their learning process so that they can better understand themselves as learners.  I believe that to start, reflection should be structured, to help draw out in students what we need them to do, because they are not used to this type of deeper thinking.  As students learn the art of reflection, it can be more open-ended.  In the past, students in my class, have learned amazing things about what they are capable of.  In the words of a students from last year, about her photo essay, she wrote "I have learned that when I put my mind to something, I can do great things."  This student can look back at this project, and when she is confronted with a tough assignment or tough decision, she will know that she can get through it.  So to me, reflection not only helps students better learn content, but it helps students better learn who they are.