The primary and early elementary grades are a natural place to introduce reflection and instill in students the habit of collecting work that demonstrates evidence of learning and growth. (Berger, 281 pag.)
We learn by doing. As a faculty team, we continue to grow our understanding of intentional reflection and the impact on learning.
Deeper understanding is the result when learners think about their thinking. The My Learning Portfolio process prompts students to think about their thinking when they select artifacts to archive, and as they capture their thoughts about learning experiences through reflection. (Mitchell, n. pag.)
Our young learners have 2+ years of entries in their My Learning Portfolios. For a glimpse of impact, check out Kathy Bruyn’s August post, Student Portfolios: It’s all worth it!.
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As students progress through the grades, it is important that portfolios and passage presentations evolve with them and challenge them in new ways. (Berger, 281 pag.)
During our last professional development session, Marsha Harris (@marshamac74), rolled out our first draft of learning progressions and a vision of vertical alignment of teacher moves to facilitate student reflection and archiving artifacts.
| Grade | Learning Targets (Level 3) |
| 3s/ Pre-K |
I can document learning moments for my students. I can show how I know students are learning using images and voice that reflect their strengths and interests. |
| K/ 1st |
I can offer opportunities for my students to make choices about their My Learning artifacts. I can show how I know students are learning using images and voice that reflect their strengths and interests. |
| 2nd | I can teach my students to independently use My Learning to capture reflections through prompting into their portfolios that include voice and images/video. |
| 3rd | I can empower my students to curate their reflections into their portfolios with simple prompts for reflection that include voice, choice and images/video and I can offer pathways for my students to gain more independence for entering reflections in My Learning. |
| 4th | I can facilitate opportunities for intrinsic motivation where students become empowered and proactive learners, reflecting in My Learning with choice, voice and images/video. I can introduce students to the RIP3 model for reflection. |
| 5th | I can facilitate opportunities for intrinsic motivation where students become empowered and proactive learners, reflecting in My Learning with choice, voice and images/video. I can facilitate student use of the RIP3 model for reflection. |
| 6th | I can facilitate student use of the RIP3 model for reflection. I can empower my students to analyze and assess their growth as learners. I can offer opportunities for students to produce reflective essays through a variety of media to tell their story a.k.a, their learning journey. |
The corresponding learning progressions, collaboratively designed by our Academic Leadership Team (ALT), serve as one way to reflect, self-assess, and grow as a facilitator of reflection.
They exclaimed, “Look how little I was!” as they flipped through Kindergarten pictures of themselves and classmates. They watched videos of themselves talking in front of their First Grade peers. They chuckled at how they drew noses when they were in Kindergarten. They looked at photographs of their writing and saw how far they’ve already come. The energy in the room was evident– the purpose of online portfolios clear. (Bruyn, n. pag.)
Berger, Ron, Leah Rugen, and Libby Woodfin. Leaders of Their Own Learning: Transforming Schools through Student-engaged Assessment. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
“Portfolio Practice As Learning Model.” TRUE Learning. Rhonda Mitchell, 17 Jan. 2014. Web. 19 Dec. 2014.
“Student Portfolios: It’s All worth It!” Kathy Bruyn. N.p., 29 Aug. 2014. Web. 19 Dec. 2014.
