REFLECTION JOURNAL

A reflection journal allows you to think about what occurred in the classroom during a lesson, to analyze what it may mean, and to make revisions or changes in the lesson as necessary. Although there is no one right way to keep a journal, exemplary journals posses some common characteristics:

1. A description of what happened in the classroom
   •  My role as teacher
   •  The student(s)
   •  The subject matter at the time
   •  The context
   
2. An analysis of the classroom event
   •  My thoughts, feelings
   •  Questions I had or have about the event
   •  What I learned
   •  How I can improve the lesson or situation another time
   
3. Lessons, encounters that went particularly well
   •  What I said and did to handle situations smoothly
   •  What strategies I will place in my bag of tricks
   
4. Questions for my cooperating teacher and/or university supervisor
   
5. Ideas, insights I have about teaching and learning
   
6. Strengths I find in myself that will help me become an effective teacher
   
7. Weaknesses I am discovering about myself and plans for dealing with them
   
8. Characteristics of good teachers (from observations and other sources)

The time and effort you put into a reflection journal can reduce problems later because of the insight you have gained through analysis.