MiddleView

This weekend I was playing through a book of piano music and ran across the old standard, “I’m going to sit right down and write myself a letter”.  I was reminded of an activity I used to do with my sixth graders when I was a teacher.  I asked my students to reflect on the school year to date, to make note of what they’d accomplished, and what they still wanted and needed to learn by the end of the year.  I then had them write themselves a letter that would remain sealed until the last day of school in June.  On that ending day of school, I would pass out the letters and the students would eagerly read them to discover what they’d been thinking about 5 months earlier – it led to great discussions about goal setting, the importance of keeping your goals in front of you, and making adjustments to them when necessary.  

As a principal, my health teachers did a modification of this activity – they asked their 8th graders to write themselves a letter that they wouldn’t read until they were seniors in high school.  Envelopes were sealed, addressed, and put away for four years until the students were seniors in high school.  While many had moved away by that time a surprisingly large number did remain at the same address and received the letters – and many came back to remark on what they had written and how they had or had not accomplished their goals.

I think we’re fortunate as educators to have two "beginnings" to the year – one in September when we’re fresh and excited about the year to come and the second in January when “resolutions” are traditionally made.   Art Costa once said, “We must constantly remind ourselves that the ultimate purpose of evaluation is to enable students to evaluate themselves.”  Self-evaluation requires self-reflection and if we wish our students to become self-reflective learners, then we must model this practice to both our staff and to our students.  

So as middle level leaders, I urge you to take this time to reflect, both personally and as a community of learners at your school.  Ask yourself and ask your staff  -- Are you on track for what you had hoped to accomplish this year?  Are there adjustments that need to be made?  What will be the indicators of success that you will hope to see in June?  

And after the discussion?  Well, it’s time for everyone to “sit right down and write (themselves) a letter.”