We do not learn from experience.
We learn from reflecting on experience.
-John Dewey
I read this great post from Jackie Gerstein about reflection in the maker space. I loved her cards and with many students from Grades 1-5 who are just beginning their learning journey in English, I was wondering how I could take this idea of reflection cards and eliminate the need to read in English.
The answer: Visible Thinking Routines. Specifically, Color, Symbol, Image.
My kids love to make. I want them to reflect on their time in Design but I also want to dedicate a very large chunk of our time together to making. So I needed something quick. Simple. Super easy. Something we can do in the two minutes after packing up.
So I have made a set of cards. Some colors, some symbols (thanks Keynote updated shapes!) and some images (thanks, Unsplash!). My plan is to have this deck of cards at the ready and to have kids reflect on their day in design:
What color was your day in design today?
What symbol represents you as a designer?
Which images describes how you are feeling as you leave design today?
What symbol matches your plans for our next design lesson?
What color matches your thinking in design today?
What image represents the way you worked with others?
Which symbol describes you while you were making?
What color represents how you feel about your prototype?
We are trying this out tomorrow. I will update this post to report how it went! Other single subject teachers: how do you have your students reflect on their learning in your class?
If you want to download the color/symbol/image slides: Reflections in Design.
sonya terborg 