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M is for Metacognition A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National Title I Conference, San Diego, CA 2014 Education InSite

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Page 1: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

M is for Metacognition

A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work

A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking

National Title I Conference, San Diego, CA 2014

Page 2: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Page 3: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Dr. Linda Karges-Bonewww.educationinsite.com

Charleston Southern University

Professor, Author, Radio Host

Differentiated Pathways of the Brain and Breaking Brain Barriers

Brain-Framing: Instructional Planning With the Brain in Mind

Brain Verse: Activities to Build Literacy and Neural Connectivity

Brain Tips: Simple Yet Sensational Brain-Friendly Strategies for Improving Teaching, Learning, and Parenting

Consultant to Title I Schools around the US/Former Special Ed. Teacher

Education InSite

Page 4: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Our TaskMaximizing Teachers’ Impact in High Poverty Settings

With innovative, brain-friendly practices

Page 5: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Maximizing the 3 C’s

Creativity

Capacity

Complexity

Page 6: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Why Metacognition? Let’s

Deconstruct the word.

Meta=Self

Cognition= Thinking

An “Awareness of One’s Own Thinking”

Page 7: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

For Teachers….It is Truly Meta-Metacognition

One must be aware of one’s OWN thinking.

Concurrently, one must be aware of how students are or are not engaged in thinking.

It is a process unlike any other.

Exhausting

Exhilarating

Page 8: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Teachers Who Work in High Poverty Settings

Do not have the luxury of simple COGNITION.

Thinking is not enough.

Metacognition is required.

Page 9: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Why? Three Reasons….

Stressed Student

s

Brain Shutdown

Stressful Professi

on

Page 10: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Teaching Is Harder Than Rocket Science

Page 11: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

One Teacher’s Voice “But no one can fully understand how difficult teaching

in America’s highest-need communities is until he or she personally experiences it. When I solved engineering problems, I had to use my brain. When I solve teaching problems, I use my entire being—everything I have. A typical engineering task involves sending an email to a colleague about a potential design solution. A typical teacher task involves explaining for the fourth time how to get the variable out of the exponent while two students put their heads down, three students start texting, two girls in the back start talking, and one student provokes another from across the classroom. “Ryan Fuller

Page 12: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

There should be enough…Spread out, it is about the size of a linen dinner napkin.

But, if you were to count the synapses at the rate of 1 per second, you would finish 32 million years after you began!

Bright Air, Brilliant FireRobert Sylwester

Page 13: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

But the Amygdalas Kick In Almond Shaped

Clusters

Triggered by stress

Unleash Cortisol

Shutting down higher order thinking

Damaging the brain

Page 14: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

The Challenge Cortisol, the stress hormone does so much

damage to our brains as it seeps out: shutting down the pre-frontal cortex, impeding creativity: actually shrinking the hippocampus, the center of memory; and slowing neuro-genesis. But, when you recognize the fact that simply living in poverty triggers cortisol, even when there is no direct stressor like abuse or illness in a child’s life, you have a huge problem. Dr. Linda Karges-Bone

Page 15: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

The Answer……MetacognitionMaintaining an uber-awareness

A gestalt of where everything and everyone is in space and time.

A pre-cognition of what might come next.

And how the teacher and every other player on the cognitive chess board is going to react.

Page 16: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Metacognition Requires MORE

More • Cohesive

ness• Creativit

y• Compass

ion• For

Teachers

More• Conversa

tions• Collabora

tion• Commit

ment• For

Parents

More• Connecti

ons• Concentr

ation• Curricula

r Innovation

• For Students

Page 17: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Can You Say: “Counterfactual Thinking?”

Counterfactual Thinking is….

One of the highest forms of creativity.

Constantly moving between the reality that we SEE and what we want our classrooms to BE.

Page 18: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

And MORE Challenges from the Common

CoreDeeper, Richer

Curricula….Demands Deeper, Richer

Neural Connectivity.

Page 19: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Put Teachers’ Brains 1st

Creativity

Literacy Enhancemen

t

Stress Reduction

Mirror Neurons

Neuro-ArchitectureGreen

Time

Assessments

Praise

Page 20: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

10 Strategies to Maximize Metacognition

#1…..Teachers’ Brains Deserve Attention.

Put the Oxygen Mask on Yourself First!

Page 21: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

StrategyTreat teachers’

brains like gold.

Reduce their stress.

Enhance their wellness.

Harness their creativity.

Page 22: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Your challenge…..Plan something special and rewarding for teachers every week.

Page 23: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Gandhi

METACOGNITION MOMENT

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Education InSite

10 Strategies to Maximize Metacognition

#2…..Teachers Need Time to Transition into a Metacognitive State .

Common Core Planning is Different from Fragmented 6 point Lesson Planning.

Page 25: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Strategy Provide Planning

Time to Integrate and Investigate Common Core Connections.

If you want the CORE to be rigorous, your planning time must be rigorous.

Page 26: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Your challenge…..RE-configure schedules to enable robust shared planning and guard this time jealously!

Page 27: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

“Change Your Thoughts and You Change Your World” Norman Vincent Peale

METACOGNITION MOMENT

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Education InSite

10 Strategies to Maximize Metacognition

#3 Think carefully about how assessments are used.

Assessments reveal different attributes of students’ abilities.

Page 29: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Strategy Re-visit portfolios.

Implement tiered assessments where possible.

Create a balance of high and low stakes assessments.

Page 30: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Your challenge…..You may not be able to control the state or district level assessments, but you can shift traditional testing at the classroom level to be more reflective.

Page 31: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

“The belief that all genuine education comes about through experience does not mean that all experiences are genuinely or

equally educative. “ John Dewey

METACOGNITION MOMENT

Page 32: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

10 Strategies to Maximize Metacognition

#4….Consider the role of neuro-architecture.

Environment matters to the gray matter.

Page 33: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

StrategyGive teachers

mini grants to design more brain-friendly settings.

Use soothing colors such as greens, blues.

Page 34: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Your challenge…..Take the “Are You a Neuro-Architect?” quiz from Dr. Bone’s book Brain Framing and act on the results with colors, music, and water features.

Page 35: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

“The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say ‘the children are working as if I

do not exist. ‘ “ Maria Montessori

METACOGNITION MOMENT

Page 36: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

10 Strategies to Maximize Metacognition

#5….Practice brain-friendly praise strategies.

Give both teachers and students cues that increase neural productivity.

Train the brain to take creative risks and enjoy the journey of learning.

.

Page 37: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Strategy

Read the work of Dr. Carol Dweck as a faculty.

Remember that praise for intelligence freezes the brain. Praising effort sets it free!

Page 38: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Your challenge…..Put up “Praise Stem Posters” with fresh stems to help teachers re-think the ways that they praise.

Page 39: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

“Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement.” CS Lewis

METACOGNITION MOMENT

Page 40: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

10 Strategies to Maximize Metacognition

#6….Think GREEN

Recognize the importance of novelty and nature to metacognition.

.

Page 41: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Strategy

Harness the power of green spaces, outdoor classrooms, and sunlight to enhance thinking.

Page 42: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Your challenge…..Give rewards to teachers who create at least one outdoor classroom lesson each week. Even a “Power Walk” before a writing activity is powerful for metacognition.

Page 43: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. “ William Shakespeare

METACOGNITION MOMENT

Page 44: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

10 Strategies to Maximize Metacognition

#7….Consider the new research on creativity.

Connect this research to what we know about metacognition.

Kids and teachers need time to think INSIDE THE BOX.

Drew Boyd and Jacob Goldenberg

.

Page 46: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Your challenge…..Implement the “Fed-Ex” Creativity model at the next faculty meeting. Draw the name of a teacher and give him/her a free afternoon to develop a fresh idea for your site. “Deliver “ it at the next meeting.

Page 47: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

“Art is an elastic sort of love. “ Josephine BakerMETACOGNITION MOMENT

Page 48: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

10 Strategies to Maximize Metacognition

#8….Reduce the impact of stress in order to shift the brain into metacognitive mode.

Recognize the fact that children who live in poverty have more of the stress hormone cortisol, which impedes thinking.

.

Page 49: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Strategy Increase physical

activity in order to stimulate “Exercise Induced Neuro-genesis and the release of BDNF..which acts like “Miracle Gro for the brain.

BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor)

Page 50: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Your challenge…..Set up a Walking Program for both teachers and kids. Set goals, such as “Walking to the State Capitol”. Get pedometers donated.

Page 51: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

“Don’t try to fix the students. Fix ourselves first. “ Marva Collins

METACOGNITION MOMENT

Page 52: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

10 Strategies to Maximize Metacognition

#9….Harness the connection between literacy and metacognition.

Neural-Scaffolding requires fluency and flexibility in language.

By some estimates, there is a 30 million word difference between children who live in poverty and their non-poverty peers by age 4.

.

Education InSite

Page 54: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Your challenge…..Read aloud every day. Reading aloud is FREE and immerses children in rich language. Try Dr. Bone’s “School Wide Literacy” Read Aloud plan in Brain Framing.

Page 55: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” Dr. Seuss

METACOGNITION MOMENT

Page 56: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

10 Strategies to Maximize Metacognition

#10. Decide to change your mind.

“Paying attention in the present moment, on purpose, and without judgment.” 

Studies show that teachers who learn mindful practices become better practitioners and remain in the profession.

.

Education InSite

Page 57: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Strategy Decide to celebrate small victories in the classroom.

Take pictures of your students engaging in hard work and post them boldly.

Choose a compassionate response and use mirror neurons.

Page 58: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Your challenge…..Make a list of what you LOVED about teaching when you entered the profession. Then, put it somewhere on your desk. Every day, select one attribute and focus on “seeing it come alive” in your classroom.

Page 59: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

“I dwell in possibility.” Emily DickinsonMETACOGNITION MOMENT

Page 60: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

A Comparison…if you dare.

Metacognition is required in today’s classrooms.

Metacognition requires enormous effort, commitment, and strength from the teacher.

Dancers remain en pointe’ for just a few minutes at a time.

Teachers maintain this kind of “cognitive dance” for hours at a time.

Page 61: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Metacognition Matters, But it is difficult to maintain.

Look at the picture closely.

The world sees the beauty.

Our bodies and minds experience the pain and effort.

Page 62: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Put Teachers’ Brains 1st

Creativity

Literacy Enhancemen

t

Stress Reduction

Mirror Neurons

Neuro-ArchitectureGreen

Time

Assessments

Praise

Page 63: A Discussion of How Teachers’ Brains Engage During Periods of Highly Creative Work A Challenge to the Status Quo of Current Thinking About Thinking National

Education InSite

Thank You!Visit my Facebook

Page and “Like It”.

My site: www.educationinsite.com

Many of the strategies discussed today can be found in Brain Framing.