One of my boys said, "I know that metacognition means that (as readers) we have to think about our thinking. And I see the word "cog" in the middle of the word... it's like we have these cogs moving inside our brain. Sometimes when I'm reading, I can just see the cogs moving... one is my schema, one is asking questions, one is a word I don't know..."
Another student responded, "Yeah, it's like you can just see them moving... the cogs help you understand what you're reading. Like a bicycle chain!"
"Oh, and when you don't understand, you know those times when you don't get it... when all the thinking is getting in the way..."
We all nodded.
"... we should call that metaclognition!"
BRILLIANT!!!
ReplyDeleteWow!!!! I am so loving your blog! Thanks for sharing this great story! Can't wait to use it with my kids tomorrow! I also love the term "wise readers!" We talk all the time about what good readers do, but "wise readers" sounds so much more scholarly!
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious AND VALIDATING. So often, I hear that third graders can't grasp what metacognition is, that even the word itself is too big for them, and that conversations like this can only take place at higher levels. This quick tale from your classroom is a beautiful example of how this sort of thinking can happen.
ReplyDeleteI was sent this way by Carol of Carol's Corner. So glad that she tipped her readers off to more great thinking (and now blogging) coming out of the PEBC. Just added you to my reader.
As always you share and show us those marvelous ways children think!
ReplyDeleteI love this! The other day I was talking to my students and Brianna came up to me after the lesson and said "Mrs. M., I have metacognitive in me. It happened when I was watching a movie this weekend and it wouldn't stop!"
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