metacognition

10 Retrieval Activities + 1 Choice Board

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boy in red sweater wring on notebook

Implement some of these retrieval practice activities in you classroom to boost student learning.

Integrative Thinking

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I first read about “Integrative Thinking” in this article by Katrina Schwartz on Mindshift.  The article outlines three thinking/problem-solving tools that are taught through the I-Think Initiative at University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management: Ladder of Inference, Pro/Pro, and Causal Models.  Integrative Thinking involves using these tools and others to consider solutions for problems by … Read more

Start 2016 with a Growth Mindset

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Modeling and teaching my students about the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset has resulted in huge shifts in thinking in my classroom over the past few years.  I have witnessed amazing changes in some of my students who often avoided risks because they were fearful of appearing unintelligent.  Those who have been … Read more

Set a Goal to Change Some Mindsets

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“You are so smart,” could be the most damaging 4 words that we ever say to children. That sentence may seem innocuous, even encouraging, but repeated use might actually reinforce attributes that we don’t find very appealing: laziness, risk-aversion, the inability to problem-solve. Researchers like Carol Dweck (author of Mindset) are showing that statements like, … Read more

Chart of Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats

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Edward de Bono created the idea of  “Six Thinking Hats”, developing a visual representation of the types of thinking that we do in various situations.  You can read more about de Bono’s concept in his book of the same title.  This simple chart briefly describes each Thinking Hat, and how it can be applied in … Read more

Three Good Things

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I read this article on Larry Ferlazzo’s blog, and experienced the same reaction he apparently did when he first realized he was missing a key piece to student’s reflections in the classroom.  I have been trying to incorporate more self-reflection into the school day, and now I see that I’ve forgotten a vital part of … Read more