“Dear Journal…” Why Every MYP Student Should Be Reflecting All Year Long
Journaling might sound like something from a bygone era. It makes me think of feather pens, leather notebooks, and dramatic sighs… but in the MYP, keeping a journal can be one of the most powerful tools for personal and academic growth.
Reflection is at the heart of the IB philosophy. It helps students understand how they learn, not just what they learn. So how can we build it into the school year in a meaningful, manageable way? Try these six types of reflections:
1. Daily Reflection
It sounds like a big ask, but taking just 10 minutes at the end of the school day can have a huge impact. Encourage students to jot down what went well, what challenged them, and what they learned about themselves. If you teach the final period of the day, this is a fantastic use of the last few minutes. Reflection isn’t a chore, it’s a habit worth forming.
Here is an excerpt from my MYP Reflection Journal for a daily reflection.
2. Monthly Reflection
Once a month, zoom out a little. Have students reflect on their ATL skills, Learner Profile traits, and academic progress. How are they growing? What’s changing in how they approach learning? These reflections help connect classroom work to personal development.
Here is the first page of the ‘Monthly’ section.
3. Yearly Reflection
This is the big one. Whether at the end of the year or even at the start of the next, get students to reflect on their academic journey. What were their goals? What did they achieve? What surprised them? It’s a great way to recognize growth and set new intentions.
The Yearly reflection section.
4. Parent-Teacher Conference Reflection
Before a conference, students should prepare questions and reflect on their own progress. What are they proud of? What do they want to improve? Hearing their teachers' and parents’ perspectives can be eye-opening, but students should go in ready to reflect and engage.
5. Report Reflection
When report cards come out, it’s not just about the grades. Have students look at the feedback and reflect on how they can improve. What changes can they make? What strategies worked? This is where reflection leads to action.
6. Service as Action Reflection
An essential part of the MYP, Service as Action isn’t complete without reflection. Students should record their projects, describe what they did, and, most importantly, what they learned. How did they contribute? What challenges did they face? How did this shape their thinking?
Keeping a journal doesn’t have to be fancy or time-consuming. A few structured pages, a consistent routine, and some thoughtful prompts go a long way.
Want to help your students build reflection into their learning? I’ve created a Reflection Journal just for MYP students—perfect for guiding daily, monthly, and milestone reflections all year long.
Because in the MYP, journaling isn’t just about writing.
It’s about growing.
Want the full MYP reflection journal for your students? You can find it at my TPT store. It’s a printable PDF, so you can print as many pages as you need for your students, or they can complete it digitally.
