Higher Order Thinking- The processes of more difficult and higher-order thinking is associated with complex functions of daily interactions that become more apparent as an individual ages. These situations take form as critical thinking practices, problem solving ability, reasoning, and creativity while an individual navigates the more complex daily interactions. The higher order thinking practices will take place in the classroom as the students deal not only with more difficult tasks, but also within social contexts as they part-take in their social lives.
Modelling
Modelling is a natural process that is used to show someone something that is considered new knowledge. Modelling is a strategy that could be applied across almost all strategies and should be considered when implementing any new strategy. The process of modelling is rather simple as it can simply be used as talking the students through a body of knowledge and explaining the thought process that ensues. In a problem solving situation the teacher should explain exactly how they break down the problem and how they approach the solution. This strategy will slowly implement self-regulation as the students are faced with different problems and reflect upon what the breakdown they have been shown in similar situations was like.
Learning Pods
Learning pods is more of a management strategy enlisted by the teacher that leads to the development of self-regulation skills. In creating the pods the teacher will also establish rules where the students must go through a series of checks prior to asking the teacher for help. Mitchell VanDyke of Dorothy Dalgliesh Elementary has established this in his classroom and says it is all about the language you use. The first stage is struggle with the problem on your own for a bit, Mitchell normally asks his students at this point simply "Have you struggled yet?". Following this, the second stage is where the student will ask their pod partner and the two of them will attempt the problem together. If the second stage does not work then the third stage is teacher assistance where the teacher helps the whole pod with the problem and breaks it down so they can better understand. This simple set-up will encourage more resilient learners who work on 'struggling' with their own problems before accepting the need for asisstance. These self-regulation skills are easily applicable to many facets of life.
How did these strategies work for you? Was there a better way of implementation or any information that we forgot? Please use the comment section below to provide us and our users with more information about this toolbox.