Trusty Strategies with a Twist

The longer we spend in the classroom, the more tools we collect in our toolbox. Every year we learn more and more about research-based strategies that yield results, but what happens when we accumulate too many tools and our tool box is overflowing? Is there a point when too many tools interfere with doing the job? I’m not yet sure but one thing I do know is that through collaboration we can reunite with strategies we learned and used early on in our teaching careers. As we revisit these trusted strategies, we begin to realize that if we just add a little polish these tools will work as good as new and can be adapted to online learning. Below is just one example of what I am talking about.

Student Self Reflection: Own the Moment- Self Reflection has made a tremendous impact on my growth both personally and professionally. For many years my commute to work has been an hour or more. I always use this time to reflect on my day, whether it is prior to the start or after all of the madness has wrapped up. It is during this time that I really begin to process the impact I made that day and how or if I could have done things differently. We all need time to self reflect in a very meaningful and sometimes guided way. 

In one activity recently, we had students imagine they were superheroes. Superheroes are so diverse but they all have a few things in common: extraordinary powers, abilities, skills, strength and enhanced senses. While superheroes aren’t always successful and they all endure setbacks and battle scars, they always bounce back. Have students reflect on their strengths, abilities, and skills. Ask students to draw themselves as a superhero and highlight what they reflected on. During difficult times ask students to draw their superhero with battle scars that describe the difficulties they may be facing during that time. As students characterize themselves they may become more comfortable with sharing their reflections and learning from others that are feeling the same way.

Students can do this same type of expression and reflection in a variety of ways in an online environment. You can have them create their drawing on Nearpod using the “Draw It” activity, open a word document in Kami, or have them draw on paper and share their screen to show the product. What are some strategies that you have recycled during this time? We would love to hear from you.