Building opportunities for reflection throughout the lesson, and incorporating multiple modes of reflection, can support student learning, engagement, and growth. This document shares ways to think about, structure, and incorporate reflection into your lesson.

When Do You Use Reflection?

There is no set time for reflection. You can use it at different times that vary, lesson to lesson and activity to activity. Reflection offers students time to pause and consider what they have experienced, or learned, and to review and evaluate what happened. It can be helpful to use reflection:

• At the end of each lesson
• At the end of a project/residency
• Multiple times throughout a lesson
• After something new has been introduced in the lesson
• As a way to discuss an issue on a deeper level
• When there is discussion around a difficult theme
• When a challenging moment that impacts students and educators arises, either in the classroom specifically, or outside of the classroom

Or, any combination of the above!

Reflection Models

Individual – Students can be given time to journal, draw, or meditate for the last 5-10 minutes of class responding to reflection prompts.

Partner Share – Students pair up and share their thoughts on reflection prompts together. They can also be given the option to write their reflections and read these to each other.

Small Group Share – Break the class up into small groups and have them discuss the reflection prompts. If possible, have an educator join each group.

Large Group Share – If possible, sit in a circle and reflect as a group on the experience. Decide how you will identify who is talking. For example, ask students to raise their hands or pass a talking object.

Reflection at Home – Students can be asked to take a moment at home to reflect on the lesson. They can choose their modality (writing, drawing, dancing, preparing a monologue) that they feel comfortable sharing with the class during the next session. This may be a good model to use when your residency or class is coming to an end.

Non-Verbal Reflection Methods

Incorporating Reflection throughout the Lesson

When reflection is incorporated throughout the lesson, TAs are able to constantly check in on students’ engagement and progress, particularly for students who are less verbal. You can integrate some of the models already mentioned above. Plus, here are a few more ways to integrate reflection throughout the lesson:

Ask:

• What did we just do?
• Did everyone understand?
• Take the time to address conflicting answers.

Collective Breath:

• As a group, take one (or a set number, such as three) collective breath. This helps to reset the tone in the room.
• Now ask: Are we ready to move on?
• Take the time to address conflicting answers.

Emojis:

• Ask students how they feel about what they just did by using emojis. Start by modeling for the class: make an expression with your face/body that captures how you feel. For example, surprised, happy, sad, angry, thumbs up/down, shrugging shoulders.
• Take some time for everyone to look around the room at the group’s reactions, and discuss what they see.

All of these models could and should be adapted to best fit the needs of your students and the tone of your lesson.

Basic Structure for Reflection Questions

What?

Ask some questions that provide time and space for your students to think about what they learned and experienced (both academically/artistically, and socially/emotionally) during your lesson.

• For example: What happened during this lesson? How did it make you feel? What was hard? What was easy? What did you like?

So What?

Ask some questions that help your students think about why they did what they did.

• For example: What did this lesson teach us? Why was it valuable/important?

Now What?

Close out this debrief with space to reflect on how what your students learned can be applied outside of school.

• For example: How can we use what we learned today outside of school?

Important Notes

Encourage your students to speak from their own experience and perspective by using I-statements when speaking, and not to make generalizations about what was happening to others. An example of an I-statement is: “I was feeling very bored during this lesson,” as opposed to: “This lesson was boring.”

You can also use the debrief to get input and suggestions from your students on the lesson overall.

Digging Deeper

During the course of the reflection, you may become aware of issues that need to be explored more deeply with your class. Here are some suggestions for digging deeper on issues.

• Ask open-ended questions: “How was that for you? How did you feel?” Focus on feelings: “What is everyone feeling right now?”
• Monitor verbal and non-verbal cues: “It seems like people aren’t paying attention here. What is going on?”
• Test out perceptions: “During this lesson, it seemed like people were getting frustrated. Is that true?”
• Share your feelings: “I am confused. How do other people feel?”
• Ask: “What did you or someone else do in the activity that surprised you?”

Notes:

Reflections can be as light or in-depth as you need them to. Define what you need for each lesson and how it will benefit the students for the duration of your time together.

Reflections can be an integral part of SEL (Social Emotional Learning) and Healing-Centered teaching. If a challenging situation arises, either inside the classroom or outside the classroom (for example, if there is an emergency in the school that disrupts the lesson), you might want to use a reflection activity to help everyone process the experience, while always being mindful of students’ level of comfort sharing their reflections.

A next step could be for you to integrate your students’ reflection into your curriculum development.

What modifications can be made to support students based on their reflections?

Integrating self-reflection as part of your teaching practice is also likely to benefit your students. Here are some GIVE resources to support you:

• Template: TA Self-Assessment | Short Form
• Modèle : Auto-évaluation de l'AT | Résidence en cours
• Template: TA Self-assessment | Residency Wrap-up