What does metacognition look like in the classroom?

Metacognition is the ability to monitor, adjust and reflect on our own learning. This is a process that most of us go through every day without even noticing. When we weigh up strategies to tackle a problem or reflect on why we did something metacognition is at work.

For children in the classroom, learning metacognitive strategies allows them to approach a potentially stress inducing experience like a maths exam or an essay with a proactive and positive mindset. Instead of thinking “I can’t write a 500-word essay!” students who are aware of how they learn can offer up strategies and ask helpful questions