Category Archives: Thinking and Questioning Strategies
Back to School
Tired of asking ‘What did you do at school today?’ and getting a shrug? Consider using these activities at home to delve into what happened at school in a more creative way. (You can also participate by sharing your details or answers!) (1) Play ABC’s about Your Day Start by offering your “a” word, then… Read More »
Getting Un-Stuck from a Problem
Looking for ideas to share with kids about how to get UNstuck from a problem? Consider these ideas. Reread or restate or rethink the problem in your own words or with your own ideas. Make a mental picture or a short movie to see the problem. Think about what you might do to change things… Read More »
Vocabulary Development Ideas
Growing a vocabulary requires spending time with new words. Focus on important words; those with often-use potential or subject-related value. Try these ideas to help students ‘own’ the selected new words. First create a special journal or **worksheet to allow space for the some or all of the following components: Introduce the word and the… Read More »
Effective Goal Setting vs Intentions
Goal setting: a measurable idea you want to accomplish Intention: an aim, a plan of action Substitute intentions for goal setting. Take the pressure off while still suggesting the idea is clearly in view. 1. Write down your goal with specific, measurable, and identifiable intentions. Instead of saying: write 6 sentences about (subject), say or… Read More »
Elevator Going Up! Strategies to elevate Student Thinking
In addition to Think-Pair-Share partnering, here’s a list of ways to unpack student thinking: Take quick classroom surveys as a quick way to get ‘a feel’ for where the students are in their thinking about a topic. Ask students to share how they reached their individual conclusions. Accept a variety of methods and processes. Ask… Read More »
Strategies to Boost Student Success
Long-term memory is the goal in schools. Here are a few ideas to help foster that goal. Teach students how to explain their thinking to themselves and others: What are the key elements I should remember about this topic? Can I find tricks or rhymes or illustrations or key words that help me remember details?… Read More »
Engage your ‘Can Do’
Find joy every day. Your attitude and positive ways of engaging students will brighten the hours you spend with your class. Fill your classroom with positive energy. The site Big Life Journal provides growth mindset ideas and free resources, as well as purchasable materials. Subscribe for free! Display student work that shows each student’s best… Read More »
Metacognition and Test Taking
Using metacognitive skills help students manage test taking. By using the 4 processes, students come to testing with additional ways to better handle/access their own thinking. Plan and Organize skim and preview tasks breakdown the parts decide how to proceed Self-Monitor check your progress troubleshoot problems ask for help when truly ‘stuck’ Self Reflect assess… Read More »
Metacognition and Math
The four parts remain the same across learning math concepts: Plan and Organize skim and preview tasks breakdown the parts decide how to proceed Self-Monitor check your progress troubleshoot problems ask for help when truly ‘stuck’ Self Reflect assess our strategies Think-Pair-Share-Compare with others Direct Our Own Learning know what we know know what we… Read More »