Reflections

1. What went well this week?

• A demonstration or lab worked exactly as planned

• Students grasped a difficult concept more easily than expected

• Lesson pacing felt “just right” — not too fast or too slow

• Students connected new content to prior knowledge

• An analogy, model, or story helped make abstract ideas concrete

• A real-world example sparked curiosity and discussion

• Students asked thoughtful, content-related questions

• Inquiry-based or hands-on activity led to strong engagement

• Group work/discussions deepened understanding of the lesson

• Visuals, diagrams, or charts clarified key points

• Adjusting mid-lesson improved student comprehension

• Students applied the lesson in problem-solving or practice

• A cross-curricular link (math, literacy, history, etc.) helped reinforce the science idea

• Review/assessment showed solid content retention

• Students showed excitement during a demonstration or activity

• A lab or demo that worked smoothly

• Students were engaged in a lesson or activity

• Effective use of apps (e.g., PhET simulations, Padlet, Quizlet, Kahoot)

• Effective use of simulations & animations

• Technology enhanced understanding (e.g., video clips, simulations, interactive models)

• Students collaborated well in a quickwrite or other collaborative document

• Clear explanations that connected with students

• Positive student participation in online polls/quizzes 

• Classroom management strategies worked with devices in use

• Good pacing with digital timers or classroom tools

• A flipped video or screencast helped prepare students

• Students showed curiosity/excitement during a tech-supported activity

• Quick troubleshooting of minor tech issues built confidence

2. What challenges or issues did I face this week?

• Students struggled with understanding a key concept

• Pacing the curriculum (too much content / too little time)

• Deciding how much depth vs. breadth to cover

• Lesson plan not flowing as expected

• Demonstration didn’t work as planned (equipment, timing, clarity)

• Difficulty connecting content to students’ prior knowledge

• Trouble making abstract ideas concrete

• Finding engaging real-world examples for the content

• Balancing inquiry-based learning with required coverage

• Students finishing at very different speeds

• Misconceptions that were harder to address than expected

• Uncertainty about how to assess student understanding of a lesson

• Adjusting lessons on the spot when students were confused

• Struggling to integrate cross-curricular connections (math, literacy, etc.)

• Limited resources or materials for labs/demos