We love this simple yet profound statement from Eleanor Duckworth. Asking students questions that get them to “think about what they think” is so powerful, and yet it is easy to overlook. When students understand who they are as learners, they know their strengths and their weaknesses, and they can use this knowledge to actively pursue their goals.
Many students, especially those who struggle in school due to dyslexia and ADHD, haven’t been provided with opportunities to develop metacognition. Make time to ask your students questions, either during group discussions or by simply adding a strategy reflection sheet to a test or homework assignment. A strategy reflection sheet asks a student to think about how they got their work done and to reflect on whether their process was suited to their goals. Getting students to reflect on their learning makes a big difference.