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How to Connect Questioning to Metacognition

24/4/2021

Metacognition is the act of monitoring one’s cognition, also known as thinking about thinking.

It is a high-level skill that is a game-changer for learners.

We’ve talked about the power of asking good questions, but how do questions connect to metacognition?

Metacognition and Questions

Metacognition requires students to be active learners. It requires them not only to monitor their comprehension, but also to regulate it. Learners must ask themselves, ‘do I understand this?’ and if the answer is no, they must put into place a strategy that will aid in comprehension.

Using these comprehension strategies can be very beneficial, but the big win for the learner is that he is actually engaged in metacognition. The number of passive readers in the average classroom cannot be overstated. When the teacher questions a student after reading a paragraph, page or chapter, that deer-in-the-headlights look is by no means unusual.

Six Strategies for Strengthening Student Questioning Skills

10/4/2021

Even though we adults know that children are infinitely curious, research shows that the number of questions children ask during lessons slowly decreases throughout their time in K-12 school.

Why is this? And what can be done about it?

The ‘why’ is probably a combination of several reasons, including a general lack of time on the part of the teacher to entertain such questions.

A reduction in student questions in school is also likely a result or the institution of public education, as well.

Nevertheless, questioning skills are essential in higher-level thinking, problem solving, strategy, innovation and leadership.

So getting comfortable in the process of asking questions is very important. That’s why it’s a good idea to begin early. Here are some strategies for strengthening the questioning skills in your students.

Open vs. Closed Questions - What You Need to Know

27/3/2021

By now we know the importance of asking good questions.

We know the relationship between asking questions and learning .

As we begin to look closer and learn more about asking questions, let’s talk about different types of questions.

Closed Questions

Closed questions have only one correct answer. These questions are fact-based, true or false, or yes-or-no questions. Closed questions can be very helpful in some situations, like when you need to get to the bottom of something and you want ‘just the facts, ma’am’.

These questions might be used on quizzes and tests - they’re quick and easy for the teacher to correct. Unfortunately, they show only surface knowledge rather than deep understanding.

Eureka Math Chats

20/3/2021

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One of the BEST components of Eureka Math is that the students really understand the concepts they are learning. They internalize them.

Eureka math is designed to allow students ample opportunities to explain their thinking and share how they solved the problem. Students are asked to use their own words to explain, as if they are teaching someone else, which is amazing!

I know a lot of people think a quiet classroom is a productive one, but I say let’s flip the script on traditional quiet classroom environments with this one.

Let students share their thinking with each other!

One of the most important ways to solidify a thought process is verbally teach someone else. Children naturally want to discuss what they are doing and how they are doing it. Sometimes when it comes to talking out math concepts though, it can be tricky. We as teachers, want to provide students with the path they need to excel in this process.

Friends of Ten! Place Value Hacks for Eureka Math

13/3/2021

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The Eureka math curriculum really helped me to understand math in a logical way. It places such a strong emphasis on place value and base ten, because well, that is the most logical way our number system works!

Students are taught early on how make a ten. We may say cute phrases like look for “Friends of Ten!” but this helps kids get these facts burned into their memory bank. They seek out quick finds like double 5, 6 and 4, 9 and 1, 8 and 2, and 3 and 7.

Visually these facts are given life using the ten-frame cards. These cards are set up in two rows of five squares. The number of circles placed in the squares is one number and the remaining open spaced squares is the other number. Those two numbers together are a ten!

Read! Draw! Write! Solving Story Problems with Eureka Math

6/3/2021

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What makes math important?

It is not about just solving equations and turning in a piece of paper to say it is done.

Math is about life! Problems to be solved are everywhere. We can find them when we shop, when we play, when we build, and when we cook.

Learning to solve real life math problems makes each lesson that much more concrete and relatable. Making math about what happens to us in our lives also makes it fun!

Eureka math draws students into math using real life. When students are taught to solve story problems, everything is brought together.

The acronym taught in Eureka Math is RDW which stands for read, draw, write!

Students are taught to read the story for comprehension, draw a picture to solve, write an equation to solve, and write a statement with the final answer.

Eureka Math: Moving from Pictures to Abstract Thinking

27/2/2021

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I can remember as a student not being strong in math. It scared me!

I saw a lot of symbols and a lot of numbers and although I was a good attentive student, it just didn’t click for me.

I studied the vocabulary, I watched the teacher intently, and I even always signed up to meet for extra help with teachers and peers.

While the teacher talked at the front of the room and wrote on the board, I felt dizzy. I saw numbers and symbols. I did not have the internal meaning of what the math was about at all!

This gave me and math a tough relationship for years.

Even as I battled again through college and into adulthood. I decided it just wasn’t my thing. I learned the “hacks” to get what I needed to do done and just move on from it. My main goal wasn’t to internalize it, but to get it over with and just put it behind me.

You know what though? It never just went away. Math always comes back and still continues to be apart of my life every day.

6 Ways to Solve Math Problems by Drawing Pictures

13/2/2021

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Kids are extremely visual! And if you think about it, when kids have a little down time, what they usually choose to do?

Draw! They love to draw.

What do kids get out of drawing? Well, they get to tell stories which they just LOVE to do. When they draw, they use their verbal language to describe what is happening in their pictures.

We love to discuss students’ art with them, and believe me, they love to tell us all about it. Here we go, now we get to bring the students’ love of drawing and art into their math life.

How to Use Math Manipulatives: Physically and Virtually!

6/2/2021

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Math and manipulatives go, well, hand in hand.

Children need to use manipulatives to cement their understanding of math by using concrete tools to demonstrate their understanding.

They learn by touching, feeling, moving, and changing objects to make meaning of the math stories and equations.

When we are setting up our math lessons, we think first, “How can I model this for my students?”

Then we think “How can my students model this problem for themselves?”

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We carefully and meticulously plan out each asset of the lesson. We pre count and plan exactly how many linking cubes (you may know them by a popular name brand, Unifix® Cubes) will be needed to show the part-part-total. The students then can attach the linking cubes to find the total. Then they remove the part taken away. They can also create two small groups to show each part and then put them together to create the total.

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I specialize in creating PowerPoint slides, workbooks, and posters to accompany any/all lesson plans, but particularly for
Engage NY Math/
Eureka Math. Available for pre-k through 5th grade.