Value of Reflection

Can you believe it? The weather is getting cold, daylight is dwindling, and the holidays are upon us. Life can speed by so quickly that it’s valuable to take time to reflect. 
As head of the middle school (grades 5-8) at Harrisburg Academy, I often tout the benefits of reflection. Our students spent time formulating goals at the beginning of the school year. They made academic, interpersonal, and extracurricular forecasts of where they would like to be as the school year progressed. Now it’s time for them to assess their success and set new goals. At our school, the Circle of Power and Respect (CPR), a time set aside for sharing with one another in homeroom groups, is a good opportunity for students to reflect. CPR is part of a program called Developmental Designs for Middle School that we implemented two years ago to meet the unique social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs of young adolescents.
Reflection is valuable outside of this setting, too. Reflection helps students learn how they learn best. Reflecting on how well a student prepared for a test or quiz can lead to better directed study efforts on future tests and quizzes. Reflecting on the manner in which one completed a long-term project can aid in managing future projects. Even reflecting on how well the student records homework assignments can be valuable, because these notes convey directions for studying at home. 

Remember, every student is unique in who they are and how they measure success. It is most meaningful for students to set reachable goals and work toward goals that are theirs, not those of their friends, teachers or parents. For some it may be earning a grade in a specific subject or achieving top honors (at our school, a grade point average of at least 3.6 and no grade lower than a C). Another student may measure success by how well he or she performed on the field hockey or soccer field. Others may feel successful within the comfort of a close peer group. 

Grades can be used as tools to measure success, too. However, if you were to chart a student’s progress, you would find that the graph is not always linear. Progress may be completing seven out of 10 assignments when last quarter the student only completed four out of 10 assignments. Students sometimes feel that grades do not “count” until they reach high school, but responsible work habits take time to develop. The middle school years are an excellent time to work on these habits. Grades are helpful indicators of whether a student is completing assignments thoroughly and in a timely manner, whether he or she understands the subject matter covered in class, and whether the student is able to manage the workload of middle school effectively. 

Often, the greatest learning occurs when a student doesn’t prepare well and suffers the consequences of lower grades, frustration, or late nights before a project is due. The value of these experiences is in reflecting on what can be done to improve next time. Some students quickly grasp what it takes to reach the success they desire in school. Others struggle to determine the best method of achieving their desired results. 

I encourage all students to reflect on their progress at regular intervals. I encourage parents to guide students in this process and allow students to set reasonable goals that are meaningful to them. Only meaningful, reachable goals lead to success.

Please feel comfortable contacting me as needed.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Klemunes, M.S.
Head of Middle School

Master Calendar
Student Plan for Caution List Placement
Interpreting Interim Reports
MS Schedule and Important Reminders Letter
MS After-School Program Registration Form
Grades 5/6 Supplies List
Grades 7/8 Supplies List