Liv·a·ble (adjective): worth living; enjoyable
Every Livable Lesson will encourage you to prioritize your own health and happiness by:
1. Sparking inspiration from a quote/research.
2. Connecting the quote/research to what you deserve as a teacher.
3. Promoting accountability with related actions to implement inside and outside your classroom.
4. Encouraging reflection with a related wellness question.
Inspiration
“Reflection gives the brain an opportunity to pause amidst the chaos, untangle and sort through observations and experiences, consider multiple possible interpretations, and create meaning. This meaning becomes learning, which can then inform future mindsets and actions. For leaders, this “meaning making” is crucial to their ongoing growth and development” (Harvard Business Review).
“Watch out—a limiting, “fixed mindset” can operate subconsciously” (Forbes).
What You Deserve
How many times have you encouraged your students to reflect on their progress? What about reflecting on how they did on an assessment? Maybe you even ask them to reflect on how they’re feeling every morning.
How often are you actively reflecting on your own life?
Teachers are consistently reflecting on the quality of their lessons. In fact, teachers often make an in-the-moment decision to adapt their lesson before the next period. They reflect on how they can design a unit to best assess the standards. They reflect on the next step for helping a student change their behavior. It’s obvious that teaching is filled with reflection. But, I argue that inner reflection is working a completely different muscle than reflecting for the purposes of your students.
This idea of self-reflection can make some people uncomfortable because it requires stillness, which is quite opposite of the reflection required to alter a lesson as your next class walks in. Self-reflection requires vulnerability; this willingness to be honest with yourself does not always come naturally.
➡️ What does reflection look and sound like?
- Quiet journaling
- Pausing to think quietly
- Talking out loud to yourself
- A focused conversation with a friend, partner, or co-worker
- No distractions
➡️ What types of questions encourage self-reflection?
- What do I need right now in my life?
- What is worrying me?
- What brings me joy every day?
- Am I using my time wisely?
- Do I make myself proud every day?
➡️ How often should I incorporate reflection?
- If we’re not actively reflecting on each day, then how do we expect any other day to be different?
- Try just 5 or 10 minutes
- Choose a consistent time during the day in which you have time to yourself. For example, utilize the time during your commute to work.
Days at school are a blur—teachers are constantly planning for their next day, next week, next unit, etc. There’s only so long that this “go go go” can last. Moments of stillness and reflection invite growth, clarity, purpose, and focus into your life. Those reflective moments are essential to spark creative ideas, meaningful productivity, deeper appreciation, and refreshed vitality.
Accountability
At School:Incorporate reflection into an activity for your students. Let them choose how they want to reflect. For example, provide journal prompts or prompting questions that they can discuss with a friend.
At Home: Incorporate reflection into a routine for your family. Can you all reflect on a question before eating dinner? Can you reflect together before going to bed?
Reflect
What did you intend to do last week that you didn’t do? Why?
What have you been avoiding lately?
In health and happiness,
Lauren Girgash
Founder of Livable Learning
Recent Comments