Reflective Journal Topics for Pre-Service Teachers
Through reflection, pre-service teachers can think critically not only about the education system, but also about their place in it. Whether assigned or simply part of a self-improvement process, many pre-service teachers keep a reflective journal as they move through their educator preparation program. If you are producing such a journal, focus on a different education topic each time, exploring many facets of education as you move through your journal.
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Classroom Management
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Managing student behavior can prove challenging for even the most experienced teachers, and often is even more difficult for those with no classroom experience. Discuss the concept of classroom management in your journal, describing the systems you have seen in effect at schools in which you have completed in-service hours. Also describe behavior management methods you have read about, discussing how each may or may not work in the real world.
Establishing Relationships With Students
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Building a rapport with students is vital to teaching success, but it can be difficult, particularly when you don't differ in age that much from those you teach. Describe the steps you have taken to build relationships with your students. Discuss how you have been successful as well as what challenges you are still experiencing.
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The Lesson Planning Process
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Planning lessons is a time-consuming, yet necessary, process. Describe the current system of lesson planning that you are using, exploring the benefits and weaknesses of the format or method that you currently employ. Brainstorm ways in which you could make this process easier and improve the quality of the lessons you prepare.
Successful Lessons
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As your pre-service teaching field experience draws to a close, discuss the lessons with which you have had the most success. Explain what you felt made each lesson successful and how you could use these success-producing lesson elements in future lessons.
Unsuccessful Lessons
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No teacher, even a seasoned one, hits the ball out of the park every time. Conclude your journal by looking at your failures. Discuss which well-intentioned lessons went off track. Consider why these lessons proved less successful than you had hoped, and discuss how you could modify these lessons to transform them from bland to brilliant.
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