If you want to help your students improve their performance (and also improve your own), make these questions a part of your classroom culture.
Create (or have a student create) a large poster with the following questions clearly visible:
1. What am I learning?
2. How am I learning?
3. Why am I learning?
4. Who am I becoming?
Primary students can share their responses with each other. Older students can reflect on the lesson/day in their journals.
Create a small poster for yourself, too. A pocket-size card will do. Place these questions on the card for a morning glance:
1. What am I doing to start my day in a positive way?
2. What do I get to do today?
Place these questions on the reverse side of the card for an evening glance:
1. Did I enjoy myself today?
2. What can I do to ensure that I will tomorrow?
A few simple questions and some daily reflection can change your work and life for the better.