During a recent reflection on my teaching practice, I was struck by the insights gained from a simple yet profound activity with my students. On December 25th, we engaged in a creative exercise where students wrote letters to Santa, drawing and coloring their Christmas wishes. This activity unexpectedly revealed much about their personalities and home lives, something I wish I had explored earlier in the year.

I was surprised to learn about the challenges some students face at home, such as a seemingly happy student dealing with a turbulent relationship with her sister. This revelation highlighted the importance of creating a safe space for students to express themselves freely. The activity's success can be attributed to elements of self-determination theory, which emphasizes autonomy, competence, and relatedness, fostering a supportive environment for open sharing.

Throughout the conversation with Noa, I reflected on how my relationship with the students, particularly in the second class, encouraged their openness. Noa helped me connect these insights to theoretical frameworks, enhancing my understanding of student motivation and engagement.

Initially, I felt regret for not implementing such activities sooner, but this experience has motivated me to incorporate more opportunities for students to express themselves in future lessons. I am committed to starting each school year with activities that allow me to get to know my students better, setting a positive tone for our time together.

This experience serves as a reminder of the power of creative activities in education. By fostering an environment where students feel safe to share, we can uncover valuable insights that enrich our teaching and their learning.