Quick wins for the music classroom

Assessment in music lessons can often feel like a time-consuming task, with teachers struggling to capture both the technical and personal aspects of student progress. A quick and effective way to make assessment meaningful while saving time is by using structured reflection grids.

This strategy is simple: at the end of a project, students complete two reflection grids—“What I Learned” and “How I Learned.” These grids allow students to evaluate both their technical progress and their metacognitive and social-emotional development.

By embedding these grids into your lessons, you encourage self-reflection, autonomy, and deeper learning—all without adding to your marking workload.

Reflection Grid Download

How the Reflection Grids Work

Each grid is designed to fit on a single A4 page, making it easy to distribute and complete within a lesson.

1. “What I Learned” Grid (Musical & Technical Skills)

This grid focuses on musical skills and techniques that students develop through rehearsals and performances. It includes key aspects of musicianship such as:

• Instrumental Technique – How well did I control my instrument/voice?

• Accuracy & Fluency – Did I play or sing the correct notes and rhythms consistently?

• Ensemble Skills & Playing Together – How well did I listen and sync with the group?

• Expression & Interpretation – Did I add dynamics, phrasing, and emotion to my performance?

2. “How I Learned” Grid (Metacognitive & Social-Emotional Skills)

The second grid encourages students to reflect on how they learned, focusing on metacognitive strategies and collaborative skills. It includes:

• Collaboration – How well did I work with others in my group?

• Independence – Did I take responsibility for my own learning and practice?

• Resilience – How did I handle mistakes and challenges?

• Creativity – Did I explore new ideas, experiment, or improvise?

• Reflection – How did I evaluate my progress and set goals?

This grid helps students recognize the learning process, not just the outcome, developing self-awareness and a growth mindset.

✅ Saves Time – Instead of writing lengthy teacher assessments, students reflect on their own learning in a structured way.

✅ Encourages Student Ownership – Helps students become more independent learners and take responsibility for their progress.

✅ Develops Deeper Learning – Moves beyond just “playing the right notes” to focus on musicality, collaboration, and resilience.

✅ Versatile & Easy to Implement – Can be used at the end of any music project, from ensemble performances to composition tasks.

By using these grids, assessment shifts from being a teacher-led burden to a student-driven learning tool.

Seann Wilkinson

Lead Practitioner/Director of Music/Specialist Leader of Education

Langley Grammar School