About this resource
Mistakes are information. This reflection helps students describe what happened without blame, identify what they learned, choose a strategy for next time and write a not-yet statement that keeps the door open to improvement.
Purpose
To help students see mistakes as part of learning and plan their next attempt.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Educators and school support staff. Also relevant for youth workers.
Client or participant group: Upper primary and lower secondary students.
Practice setting: Classrooms, after assessments, tasks or challenges.
Suggested uses
- After returned assessments
- During challenging tasks
- Building persistence
- Student-teacher feedback conversations
Instructions for practitioners
- Model talking about your own mistakes.
- Focus on strategies, not ability.
- Use the reflection in a supportive one-to-one or small group.
- Follow up on the strategy the student chose.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Write what happened.
- Write what you learned.
- Choose what you will try next.
Accessibility considerations
Students can talk through answers or draw them.
Scope and limitations
A general classroom reflection. It is not a disciplinary tool.
Research basis
School-based social and emotional learning programs improve students' social skills, behaviour and academic results.
- Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The Impact of Enhancing Students’ Social and Emotional Learning: A Meta-Analysis of School-Based Universal Interventions. Child Development, 82(1), 405–432. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.x
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
