Matthew R. Stover
Dec 2, 20232 min
Updated: Dec 4, 2023
As the New Year approaches, it's a perfect time for educators to reflect on their experiences and set intentions for the months ahead. One effective way to achieve this is through gratitude journaling, guided by the 3-2-1 formative assessment technique. This approach not only aids in professional development but also fosters personal growth and well-being. It can also be a lovely reminder of your progress and events throughout the year during next year’s holiday season.
The 3-2-1 Technique in Gratitude Journaling
3 Three things you're grateful for or that went well that day or week
Each day, identify three things you are grateful for in your teaching practice. These could range from a successful lesson to a meaningful interaction with a student. This practice encourages you to focus on positive aspects, enhancing job satisfaction and reducing negativity.
2 Two areas you would like to improve
Reflect on two areas where you face challenges or where a particular lesson or idea didn’t go as planned. This could involve classroom management strategies, administrator/teacher interactions, or professional development goals. Acknowledging these areas fosters a growth mindset and promotes continuous learning.
1 Positive interaction or highlight
What was the peak of your day? It could be with a student, parent, or colleague. It could be a personal success. This helps us to continue looking for the positive, but also to continue to maintain strong, supportive relationships within your classroom or school community.
Bullet journaling offers a flexible and creative way for educators to organize their thoughts and tasks. It's a method of journaling that combines planning, tracking, and reflecting all in one place.
1. Task Organization - Use bullet points to list daily, weekly, or monthly tasks. This can include lesson planning, grading, meetings, and professional development activities.
2. Track Progress and Goals - Set goals for your professional development and track your progress towards each goal.
3. Mindfulness & Reflection - Include notes on teaching experiences, student progress, or personal insights. You could also employ the 3-2-1 technique above!
The act of writing in a bullet journal can be a mindful practice that helps in reducing stress.
A line-a-day journal is an excellent tool for busy educators. It involves writing just one or two sentences every day, reflecting on an experience, a thought, or a feeling. Here are some tips:
- Consistency Over Quantity - The simplicity of writing just a line or two each day makes it easier to maintain consistency. These lines accumulate into a rich tapestry of personal and professional experiences.
- Long-term Reflection - A line-a-day journal provides a longitudinal view of your journey as an educator. Looking back over months or years, you can observe patterns, growth, and changes in your perspective.
- Emotional Well-being - Your journal provides a daily self-check-in, helping you to process emotions (stress!) and experiences in a healthy, reflective manner.
As we head into the New Year, these journaling techniques offer teachers powerful tools for reflection, growth, and gratitude. Which will you choose?