Metacognition
Students need to be able to assess themselves. Reflecting on their learning, and figuring out where they are struggling, helps them set goals. These goals are far more meaningful than teachers or parents setting goals for them. The teacher should help students identify areas that are challenging. They also need to find ways of tackling these challenges. The students are able to exercise ownership over their learning by choosing a strategy that works well for them
For instance, one child may prefer to spell words by going to www.spellingcity.com, while another child may want to write the words down many times.
Students can learn to reflect with the help of their peers as well. This adds variety and helps them stay engaged.
Metacognition is a skill that helps children understand what type of learner they are. They learn to set goals in order to overcome the challenges they face as they learn new things.
By asking a student to write about 2 things they learned and a question they still have, can also promote metacognitive skills.
Here is a student response from one of my language classes:
I know what a noun clause is.
I know where to put the commas.
I would like to know where to put a noun clause within the sentence.
By asking that particular question, the student was able to identify a problem area. The teacher found an area that needs scaffolding.