The Reflection Collection: A Round-Up

We are all about reflecting here at Theatrefolk. You’ll notice that the vast majority of exercises and lessons here and in the Drama Teacher Academy include an exit slip or reflection questions. Reflecting helps students in so many ways, including allowing them to pause, think about what they’ve learned, make sense of the material, and relate it back to themselves and their individual situations. Reflecting is also great for teachers to look back on the work they’ve done, see what worked and what didn’t, and think about what they can do going forward.

Below, you’ll find a great collection of reflection-focused articles. The end of the year is a natural time to look back on the work you’ve done, but these reflections can be modified and adjusted to suit just about any reflection need that arises.

For Students

• Exercise: Year-End Reflection
  A series of year-end questions that can be mixed and matched to fit the needs of your drama class.
• 20 Self-Reflection Journal Prompts
  These questions are focused on the five areas of social and emotional learning: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
• Reflection: Looking Back and Looking Forward
  At the end of the term/semester, students reflect on their time in drama class and create a document to help future drama students.
• Reflection Exercise: Positive/Negative Post-Its
  Students use post-it notes to write positive and negative words and phrases they think about themselves and have heard others say about them. Is it easier for your students to come up with positive or negative traits?
• Post-Exercise Exercise: Rate Yourself
  A multi-purpose exercise that helps students develop awareness of the effort they display in class and how it relates to their performances.

Production-Related

• Putting On a Class Production: Post-Show Reflection  
  This is the final article in a five-part series about putting on a class production with your students, and gives them the opportunity to reflect on the full process of putting on a show, from play selection to casting to the production itself. The questions can also be applied to an extracurricular production if you wish.
• What’s Changed? A Rehearsal Reflection
  This article focuses on helping students stay motivated throughout the rehearsal process, keep things fresh, and notice what’s different and what they’ve learned each rehearsal day.
• Coming to the End: Reflecting On Your Process
  A series of questions for students to reflect on their time rehearsing and performing in a show, with 15 additional questions for teachers.

For Teachers

• A Classroom Skills Reflection for Teachers
  25 questions for teachers to reflect on what went well and what could be improved upon for their next class.
• 12 Days of Drama Teacher Self-Care
  A series of feel-good tasks for teachers at the end of the year, including reflecting on happy memories and creating a “happy” file for nice messages and positive feedback.
• Drama Teacher Self Check-In
  It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle of daily tasks. Take a moment to reflect on what went well, what you’ve learned, and what you accomplished.
• Do You Still Have Passion for Teaching Theatre? 
  An important question to ask yourself, regardless of how long you’ve been teaching.