Reflection as a means of getting better
Chapter 4 of The Excellent 11 discusses the importance of reflection. Confucius writes: "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is bitterest." This quote was fitting to begin this chapter - as I read the chapter, I noted times when I have jarred awake at 3:00 a.m. to "think" about the past day's work. What I could have done, what I could have said, how I could have reacted, .... all run through my head as I ponder learning from my experiences to work to become a better educator, a better mother, a better wife, a better person. The NCLB push toward accountability urges us toward academic excellence. We, as educators, continually strive to work to reach the bar that is set - oftentimes very high. At DME, I feel that bar is our goal, and we work to lift each other and our students to surpass this standard. However, along the way, I believe that Clark makes excellent points that school is not just about learning the academic "stuff" - we must provide children with other opportunities for extra- and co-curricular activities throughout the year. These, my friends, are oftentimes the memories that children hold most dear to their hearts as they proceed and finish school. One of our faculty writings for this upcoming year asks that we reflect and provide advice to next year's rising fifth graders. We have so much to share. I can't wait to read these writings which won't be posted until the start of fourth nine weeks, but I will get a hint at them in August as the teachers turn them in from their summer assignments.
As a matter of fact, speaking of reflection, our beach leadership retreat last week with my grade level chairs was fabulous! We were very productive; not only did we revise both our math model and our RA schedule for the upcoming school year, reflect on last year's challenges and successes, and discuss Clark's The Excellent 11, we even had time to float down the marsh on inner tubes to the ocean twice....and we didn't lose anyone on the tubes! That trip was a wonderful team building experience. It was so uplifting to be with my teachers to think about last year and plan for next year. Now, I am back at work this week - putting into motion our plans! Read on....Chapter 5 "Balance" is next!
As a matter of fact, speaking of reflection, our beach leadership retreat last week with my grade level chairs was fabulous! We were very productive; not only did we revise both our math model and our RA schedule for the upcoming school year, reflect on last year's challenges and successes, and discuss Clark's The Excellent 11, we even had time to float down the marsh on inner tubes to the ocean twice....and we didn't lose anyone on the tubes! That trip was a wonderful team building experience. It was so uplifting to be with my teachers to think about last year and plan for next year. Now, I am back at work this week - putting into motion our plans! Read on....Chapter 5 "Balance" is next!
I liked all of his ideas as to rewarding and saving memories for our students. My class last year was so surprised that I kept their hall postings and a few other writings from the year and we just put them together in a very simple manner, the last week of school. I printed a front page “My 2007-8 Writings” on card stock paper and we hole punched their writings and then added a back card stock page and then each student just strung them together with yarn from the cupboard. (Oh, they got to put them in order their way and leave out anything or put in anything they wanted) Nothing fancy, but they loved it and it cost little of nothing. As Ron Clark always mentions, the excitement and look on their faces…..priceless. The deep significance I did not really even realize until reading his book.
I think remembering that we always have room to improve, as educators, just as our students are striving to do as they progress from year to year, and I for one, am always glad to be reminded of this, lest I forget!
I also liked that he pushes “memorization” at least to some degree in the classroom. I know there is a growing trend to get away from any memorization, even for math facts and it just seems ridiculous, yes learning is active and needs to utilize each mind in the room doing their own critical thinking and reasoning. However, I like the reminder he gave us “we must prepare our students to think for themselves and have a wealth of knowledge already within them that they can draw from.” It used to be known as building blocks, one concept builds upon the other and progress is made. I know each of us has seen where the basic building blocks have not been learned or memorized and the student suffers tremendously, whether it be math facts, or phonics or so forth. So I liked that he was not against all memorization, as is the coming trend in California anyway, and I am sure elsewhere. Typically, it seems, often ideas are being put into the required curriculum by people who do not enter the classroom nor see the results, nor how students really learn.~~Teri~~
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I think reflection is also important for my patrons. I would like to get more feedback from students, parents, and teachers this year so that I can improve our library to better suit everyone's needs. I plan to conduct surveys, both formal and informal to collect data that will help me in future decision making. I think most are happy with our library media center, but we're not reaching everyone. Perhaps if I invite folks to think about our offerings and offer their comments/suggestions (the good, the bad, and the ugly) I can reach some of the people that I'm currently not.
Betsy (Comment this)
Multiplication tables...oh, what can I say... It astounds me that students would not be memorizing such a fundamental mathematical concept. Yes, we do live in a time where answers are readily available - calculators, internet, and such. However, there is a difference between knowing basic data and knowing where to locate/research more obscure information. That said this is an area that teachers here at DME strive to improve.
Lastly, I love his stress on geography. I have a motto in my classroom "Never make a judgement based out of fear or misinformation. Learn about the person, culture, and/or issue, and then make an informed decision about the matter." I strive to instill this in my students everyday. Some students watch the news, but don't fully understand what is going on and why. Other times issues arise from our class or at DME, and that too can be used as a spring board for the discussion. Either way this is never wasted time because of the global society that our children are living in today. (Comment this)