The Share & Reflect portion of The Teaching Structure brings students back together to recognize their progress and consider how they can grow during their next round of independent practice. This is also Step 10 of the 10 Steps to Teaching and Learning Independence.

In this classroom video, Karen gathers her students after practicing Math Writing and begins with a simple self-assessment. Students use their fingers to rate their independence on a scale of one to five, giving everyone an opportunity to reflect on their own engagement.

Karen then invites students to share what went well. They recognize the quiet working environment, their ability to stay in one spot, and the stamina they are beginning to build. She also asks what they could improve next time, leading to an important conversation about continuing to work when a task feels finished and what to do when they need help while the teacher is working with other students.

Notice how Karen guides students to identify these behaviors themselves. She celebrates what they accomplished, reinforces expectations from their I-chart, and helps them consider what successful independent practice will look like tomorrow.

Although this video takes place during Math Daily 3, the same reflection process applies to Daily 5 and independent practice in any subject. The specific learning task may change, while the behaviors that support independence remain consistent.

These brief conversations are an essential part of The Teaching Structure. Students learn to recognize their own engagement, celebrate progress, and identify a clear focus for their next opportunity to practice.

As you watch, notice how Karen keeps the reflection brief and student-centered. She uses their observations to reinforce expectations and prepare them for another successful round of independent learning.