Explaining Their Thinking

This week we read about the Frontal Lobe Executive Function. The Frontal Lobe is very important and is responsible for Metacognition. Higher-order thinking deals directly with Metacognition. When students think about their own thinking, and breakdown their thought process, they are using Metacognition. A lesson that I would like to use in my class allows students an opportunity to share their learning with their classmates. From the Homework Menu at the end of chapter seven, there is an option- “Design a PowerPoint that illustrates the steps in carrying out a problem, project, or product.” I believe this would be a great way to engage students. It would also allow them an opportunity to explain their thought process to their classmates. This could be implemented in any subject, but my example refers to math. I have always been a strong believer in knowing there is more than one way to solve a problem. For my example lesson, I would present a math problem to my students. I would present the class with a word problem that relates to a real-life situation, such as “I have 5 pizzas sliced into eight slices. If there are 11 people, how many slices would each person get? Would there be any left? Explain your thinking in words, pictures, diagrams, etc.”

From here each student would then create a short presentation where they are allowed to present their thought process using a PowerPoint, the Smart board, chart paper, or an overhead projector. They would share their findings with the class. This assignment would also allow students an opportunity to continue using higher-order thinking. As a class, we would reflect over each presentation and discuss how it was helpful, or ways to improve it. In the end, I believe it would show students that not everyone thinks alike and it is okay to try different ways to complete assignments or tasks.