This is an exciting week! Thursday and Friday, MRA will hold its first ever, whole school, student led conferences. Students have been working for weeks, months, and all year preparing for this day. Portfolios include significant pieces of work from throughout the year. The work may represent excellence, or even a challenge or struggle. The point? This is an opportunity for students to reflect on themselves, and to share that introspective view with their parents.
For many students, the process included selecting artifacts; assessments, writing pieces, theme projects, compositions. Then, reflecting on the work. Why did I choose this piece? What did I learn from this experience? What would I do differently if I could do it again? What will I do differently the next time I am faced with an assignment like this? Once thoughtful reflection had taken place, students wrote two goals for themselves. These goals will be shared with parents during the conference. Finally, parents will help students construct a third goal to help propel them into the coming school year.
As a teacher, the process has been nerve racking. I wanted the portfolios to be great. I had my sights set on flawless reflections, deep with thought and perspective. I had to remind myself that this is the students' opportunity to showcase themselves. I can support them, give them the tools needed to assemble their portfolio, model an appropriate response to a reflection prompt. But, ultimately it is their thing. I won't sit behind my table and talk at Mr. or Mrs. Dad or Mom. I'll be sitting next to them (maybe even slightly behind them, away from the table) while my Alder East 5th and 6th graders share their work, excellent or not so excellent, and discuss with their parents the reasons for their choices and what those choices represent for them. And that is the point. Students get to share where they are at this moment in time, and where they hope to go.
Mrs. Quinlan sent a link. Click here to check out all the excitement in store for you at the MRA Book Fair.
For many students, the process included selecting artifacts; assessments, writing pieces, theme projects, compositions. Then, reflecting on the work. Why did I choose this piece? What did I learn from this experience? What would I do differently if I could do it again? What will I do differently the next time I am faced with an assignment like this? Once thoughtful reflection had taken place, students wrote two goals for themselves. These goals will be shared with parents during the conference. Finally, parents will help students construct a third goal to help propel them into the coming school year.
As a teacher, the process has been nerve racking. I wanted the portfolios to be great. I had my sights set on flawless reflections, deep with thought and perspective. I had to remind myself that this is the students' opportunity to showcase themselves. I can support them, give them the tools needed to assemble their portfolio, model an appropriate response to a reflection prompt. But, ultimately it is their thing. I won't sit behind my table and talk at Mr. or Mrs. Dad or Mom. I'll be sitting next to them (maybe even slightly behind them, away from the table) while my Alder East 5th and 6th graders share their work, excellent or not so excellent, and discuss with their parents the reasons for their choices and what those choices represent for them. And that is the point. Students get to share where they are at this moment in time, and where they hope to go.
Mrs. Quinlan sent a link. Click here to check out all the excitement in store for you at the MRA Book Fair.