Reflective Statements

I use Reflective Statements in my classroom because I like to model that it's okay to give wait time instead of immediately affirm an answer. I also use it to model summarizing a speaker's point of view to confirm that you understood them clearly. I have also found that this is a good technique to know well when it's time for conferences.

When I use a Reflective Statement during conferences, whether they be with a student or a parent, it takes the pressure off of me and reverts the focus back to the student, the question, or the situation. I also use this during conflict mediation with students. I have also used this during times when my frustration is increasing because of certain student behaviors; I'll frame the sentence with "I'm feeling __________ because __________ and it helps my students "check themselves" before they wreck themselves.

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