Haiku-A-Day December Challenge #6:
Reflective Stance
Even as a seasoned educator, each school year presents challenges. This year is no exception; I've struggled particularly in effectively reaching my ninth and tenth grade students identified as requiring additional literacy supports. At times I feel overwhelmed as a teacher in realizing the complex needs of my students - where do I begin in order to make a meaningful difference in their lives?
Although last year I read most of the smart, inspiring professional book What Are You Grouping For?, I recently returned to it, hoping to utilize small groups more effectively. In the first chapter, authors Julie Wright and Barry Hoonan emphasize the importance of ongoing reflection. I was especially struck by the lines they quoted from author Margaret Wheatley,"without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful."
Last night, when I stopped to reflect on this particularly challenging week, I realized that I haven't taken enough time to pause to continually reflect in my professional world - through kid watching, grouping for student needs, planning, and selecting the best texts. I have also neglected to provide enough time for my students to reflect, too.
Although last year I read most of the smart, inspiring professional book What Are You Grouping For?, I recently returned to it, hoping to utilize small groups more effectively. In the first chapter, authors Julie Wright and Barry Hoonan emphasize the importance of ongoing reflection. I was especially struck by the lines they quoted from author Margaret Wheatley,"without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful."
Last night, when I stopped to reflect on this particularly challenging week, I realized that I haven't taken enough time to pause to continually reflect in my professional world - through kid watching, grouping for student needs, planning, and selecting the best texts. I have also neglected to provide enough time for my students to reflect, too.
Today's Haiku is about a needed reflective stance:
Watch. Pause. Question. Pause./
Reflect. What do students need/
to achieve growth next?
Needed: infusion -/
continual reflection/
through smart teacher moves.
**********
My mind lingers this morning with these propelling questions:
- Am I moving blindly in my instruction?
- Am I missing opportunities for student growth?
- How can I plan better?
I’m sorry the week has been tough. I can sense that in your haiku today. Ultimately, I realized the only thing that matters in terms of curriculum is students growing as readers and writers. The struggle is discovering how to tap into these for each student.
ReplyDeleteThe universe is always speaking to us, but we rarely stop to listen.
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