Teaching Students to Drive Their Brains: Metacognitive Strategies, Activities, and Lesson Ideas
About this ebook
Metacognition is exactly that—a tool that helps students unlock their brain's amazing power and take control of their learning. Educational researchers and professional developers Donna Wilson and Marcus Conyers have been exploring and using the explicit teaching of metacognition for years, and in this book they share a practical way to teach preK-12 students how to drive their brains by promoting the following practices:
* Adopt an optimistic outlook toward learning,
* Set goals,
* Focus their attention,
* Monitor their progress, and
* Engage in practices that enhance cognitive flexibility.
Wilson and Conyers explain metacognition and how it equips students to meet today's rigorous education standards. They present a unique blend of useful metaphors, learning strategies, and instructional tips you can use to teach your students to be the boss of their brains. Sample lessons show these ideas in a variety of classroom settings, and sections on professional practice help you incorporate these tools (and share them with colleagues and parents) so that you are teaching for and with metacognition.
Research suggests that metacognition is key to higher student achievement, but studies of classroom practice indicate that few students are taught to use metacognition and the supporting cognitive strategies that make learning easier. You can teach metacognition to your students, so why wouldn't you? This book shows you how.
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About the author
Donna Wilson, leader of the academic team at BrainSMART and the Center for Innovative Education and Prevention, is an educational and school psychologist and former teacher. Donna is codeveloper of graduate studies in mind, brain, and education science at the master’s through doctoral levels and has facilitated professional development with tens of thousands of educators. Some of her current projects include work in partnership with the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, numerous speaking engagements with policy makers and implementers across the United States, and professional development engagements in various locations around the world. Her passion is supporting educators and policy makers with inspiring professional development based on how people learn.
Marcus Conyers is a doctoral researcher at the University of Westminster and director of research and development for the Center for Innovative Education and Prevention. As the coauthor of 20 books on applications of mind, brain, and education science, he has led statewide initiatives and worked in 30 countries, reaching more than 100,000 administrators and teachers. Marcus has presented at academic conferences at universities in the United States and Canada, at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, and at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Beyond educational audiences, he is committed to sharing practical applications on the benefits of becoming more metacognitive with professionals in business and government organizations.
