If you’re like me, you want your individual student’s grade in your performing ensemble to reflect their effort more so than their musical talent. Let’s face it, some students are naturally more gifted in the arts, others in academics and still others in athletics. I want my students to know they don’t have to be the first chair player to earn an A in my class. With this goal in mind, I designed a self-reflection rubric for each student to complete at the end of a marking period that acknowledges their effort and responsiblity to the ensemble. As a form of self-directed learning, it guides them toward identifying what areas of being a mindful member to the group they can focus on improving. I found this approach to be a win-win for the student and the continued growth of my ensembles. I hope you do to!