Right Side Reflect

The general set up of my ISN notebook (especially in Algebra One) is to have the left hand side be for LEARNING (often with some teacher directed foldable work with process, definitions and/or examples). The right hand side is devoted to student reflection. Not open-ended but specific activities or examples for them to do that go with the learning they did on the opposite page.

http://frogsandcupcakes.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-series-think-about-it.html

I want to do a better job in maintaining this "right side reflect" vs "left side learning" set up. 

This can be a balancing act. Of course, there is the time limitation within the classroom lesson time. But I've found that the "right hand reflect" works just as well the next day as a warm up activity. Sometimes concrete reflection the day after the learning takes place is a great idea - it gives students a chance to do some practice (homework) and time to consider what they've learned.

My other limitation is space. My Algebra One class meets every day for 82 minutes and we cover A LOT of material. I found that we only had about 12 pages left in our 100 page composition notebook at the end of this last school year (my first year fully integrating ISNs in my Algebra One class). That does not give me much wiggle room. 

http://doodlesinvigorate.com/2014/06/12/

Plus I want to keep the "right side reflect" fresh for students and not just have them work examples. And guess what beautiful thing I stumbled upon when sorting through some blogs that I read. This post from "i is a number" Interactive Notebook Left Side Assignments (she does her left side for reflection). Wow!  Yay!

So at the risk of shamelessly just copying her ideas - here is a list of different ways to have students reflect in their ISNs regardless of which page side they do this.

1.       Comic- Draw a comic strip that is clearly related to the topic. 

2.       Correct an Error- Choose a problem where you made a common (but not obvious) mistake.  Side by side, show the incorrect solution and the correct solution.  Explain the error and how to correct it or avoid it.

3.       Dear Granny- Explain the math we learned today so your granny could do it!

4.       Dear Teacher- Write a letter proving how much you understand about the topic. 

5.       Diagram- Create a diagram for the concept including visuals and words. 

6.       Flashcards- Create a set of flashcards on the topic and store them in a pocket on the page. 

7.       Foldable- Make your own foldable.

8.       I’m a Good Mathematician- Journal about how you’ve demonstrated one of the eight Standards of Mathematical Practice recently.

9.       In the Real World- Show how the topic is used “in the real world” and not just in math class.  You may include articles in the news, connections to science, art, etc. 

10.   KWL Chart- This three-column chart lists what you know about the topic before the lesson, what you want to learn about the topic, and what you learned at the end of the lesson.

11.   Matching/Card Sorting- Given a set of cards, match them in groups or sort them into labeled categories.    You may make your own cards if the teacher doesn’t supply cards for that lesson and store them in a pocket so you can study from them.  Include answer key.    

12.   My Mnemonic- Write your own mnemonic memory trick (PEMDAS for “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” is an example of a mnemonic).

13.   Pick Four- Clearly write out four practice problems from homework or classwork with correct solutions and all work shown. 

14.   Poster- Make a mini poster that summarizes the concept. 

15.   Practice Worksheet- Fold a regular-sized worksheet in half and attach just the top edge; the whole paper will stay tucked inside the notebook but can be unfolded easily.  Choose three distinctly different problems to work out on the page and explain why you chose those three. 

16.   Shrinking Notecard- Write notes on a topic on an index card, condense the information onto a regular square Post-it, then condense it again to a small Post-it.  The small Post-it should contain the most important information on the topic.  Store in an envelope or attach all three to the left page. 

17.   Sing Me a Song- Change the lyrics to a well-known song to teach this topic. 

18.   Student Created Problems- Make a set of problems on your own and solve them.

19.   Two-Column Problem- Choose a new example problem to complete.  On the left half of the page, solve the problem.  On the right half of the page, write in words the steps you’re using to solve the problem.  

20.   Venn Diagram- Compare and contrast two topics.  This is a great way to connect a new topic to a topic we learned earlier in the year or to highlight the differences between two methods of solving a problem. 

21.   Visual Vocabulary- Draw the vocabulary related to the lesson.  Use minimal text and very specific illustrations to get your point across. 

22.   Weave a Web- Design a web or concept map for the topic.

23.   You must be Mistaken- Choose a problem in which you made a procedural mistake, not just a calculation error.  Explain the misconception you had, tell what made you understand, and show how to solve the problem correctly.  

Some really great ideas here! Thank you very much Kathryn! I definitely am going to use some of these to get the students reflecting more creatively.  

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