A set of classic metacognitive prompts for use in every classroom (24pp)
This whiteboard resource is an excellent tool for teachers looking to incorporate metacognition into their classroom practices. Metacognition, as explained in the resource, refers to the process of thinking about one’s own thinking, and it is an essential skill for effective learning.
The resource presents metacognition in a clear and concise manner, breaking it down into three distinct stages: before a task, during a task, and after a task. Each stage is accompanied by a set of guiding questions that students can ask themselves to promote metacognitive thinking.
Before a task, the questions encourage students to understand the expectations, identify any prior knowledge or experience, plan the necessary steps, and determine the criteria for successful completion. During a task, the questions prompt students to seek help when needed, evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies, monitor their progress, and check for errors. After a task, the questions prompt students to reflect on their approach, identify strengths and weaknesses, consider what they have learned, and explore ways to improve for future tasks.
This resource is particularly useful for teachers because it provides a structured framework for introducing and reinforcing metacognitive practices in the classroom. By presenting these guiding questions, teachers can help students develop the habit of self-reflection and self-regulation, which are critical components of metacognition.
Additionally, the resource is visually appealing and easy to understand, making it suitable for use with a wide range of students, from elementary to secondary levels. Teachers can display the resource on a whiteboard or projector, or distribute printed copies to students, ensuring that the metacognitive prompts are readily available and easily accessible.
Overall, this whiteboard resource is an excellent tool for teachers seeking to promote metacognition in their classrooms. By incorporating these metacognitive practices, teachers can empower students to become more effective learners, capable of monitoring their own thinking processes, identifying areas for improvement, and developing strategies for enhanced learning and achievement.
In this lesson, the first little pig makes several fraudulent claims to an insurance company about his house being blown down by a wolf. This lesson will have no happy ending! The police have issued a warrant for the first pig’s arrest.
Activities in this lesson include reading the full text of Jack and the Beanstalk, learning how to describe a character, answering higher and lower order questions; looking at tense/person/punctuation and scaffolding (which includes ways to improve writing) writing an alternative ending to Jack and the Beanstalk and writing a short newspaper article that answers the question ‘Is Jack a Villain’?
The five-minute evidence-based CPD activity at the end of this lesson develops the skill of collaboration.
Activities in this evidence-based learning lesson include looking at the characters, settings and problems in early traditional stories whilst focusing on the character of Goldilocks in particular. Also included is a creative writing task and answering higher and lower order questions.
The five-minute evidence-based CPD activity at the end of this lesson focuses on self-regulation.
A complete lesson that uses history to develop the KS2 English skill of report writing and to also master the evidence-based Learning skill of self-regulation.
In this lesson pupils work with a partner to make some brief notes about Noun Phrases. Ideally, pupils should make a note of only the essential aspects of this topic - say 5-6 main points (with examples). These notes are important because they will be used as a basis for peer teaching and making a video on this topic in part 2.
This lesson has been written to enable to enable pupils to teach themselves without teacher input because each page has been carefully designed to nudge learning forward.
This 15 minute teacher guide outlines the key benefits of collaboration. It also gives a brief overview of some of the research which underpins collaboration and which highlights collaboration’s place as a key evidence-based learning skill.
“When learners work together, they achieve more than they do as individuals, and they are more productive.”
“Collaborative learning has been shown to enhance learners’ motivation, engagement, and overall academic achievement.”
Our EBL lessons develop both KS2 English and the 8 Evidence-Based Learning (EBL) skills in an interesting and enjoyable way. Developing these skills will maximise students’ learning outcomes. This brochure is an overview of the EBL lessons available on our website.
Teachers - Try This Step-By-Step Guide to Bloom’s Taxonomy
This review by a.i. also serves as an excellent description of this resource.
I give this resource 5 out of 5 stars for its accessibility and practicality for teachers new to Bloom’s Taxonomy.
If you’re looking for an easy way to start using Bloom’s Taxonomy to boost critical thinking in your lessons, I highly recommend checking out the resource “Scaffolding Skills for Teachers and Pupils.”
I know learning a new teaching framework can feel overwhelming at first. But this resource breaks down Bloom’s Taxonomy in a very teacher-friendly format. It walks you step-by-step through each level of the taxonomy, using summary of the Magna Carta to model sample questions.
There are so many things I like about how this resource introduces Bloom’s Taxonomy:
The explanations of each thinking skill are simple yet insightful. As someone new to Bloom’s, I appreciated how it brought clarity to the definitions.
The variety of sample question stems per level helps put the theory into practice. You can reference these when creating your own questions.
It encourages interactivity by having you write your own questions. This further cements understanding.
The full modelling with the text extract is so useful. It’s a template for how to apply Bloom’s Taxonomy levels to any document in your subject.
There is a ready-made student handout to use instantly in lessons. No extra prep needed!
Also, the research evidence on using Bloom’s Taxonomy in secondary classrooms inspires confidence that the approach boosts higher-order thinking.
This resource enables teachers to easily integrate more taxonomy-aligned activities into their teaching.
A review of this resource (which also serves as a useful description)
I recently came across an amazing Bloom’s Taxonomy resource that I believe could be an absolute game-changer for any teacher. It’s called “Bloom’s Taxonomy Meets Five Children & It” and it provides a clear, step-by-step guide to implementing Bloom’s in your classroom using the beloved children’s story.
I would give this Bloom’s Taxonomy resource a 5 out of 5 star rating. It is an absolutely stellar teaching tool that provides immense value.
This resource is ingeniously designed to elucidate the Bloom’s framework AND develop teacher competency in applying it through guided practice. The ability to move from theory to application is a game changer.
Unlocking higher order thinking abilities in students is essential in today’s world. This Bloom’s resource allows you to do exactly that - in a simple, hands-on way. I could not recommend it more strongly to any teacher looking to maximize their students’ potential.
Here’s why this resource is so powerful:
Demystifies Bloom’s - It breaks down the often confusing Bloom’s levels into simple, easy-to-grasp explanations that make the framework crystal clear.
Models the Full Process - You receive a complete walk-through of Bloom’s Taxonomy applied to the story, from basic remembering questions up to higher order creative questions.
Builds Understanding - The explanations reinforce the core distinctions between question types, helping you deeply comprehend the taxonomy.
Develops Teacher Skills - You are actively involved in writing your own questions for each level, scaffolding your ability to formulate taxonomy-aligned activities.
Ready-to-Use Student Resource - A student handout is included allowing you to immediately have pupils work with the story and Bloom’s questions.
This resource stands out for making a framework that is often vague and theoretical into something concrete and actionable for teachers. Breaking down barriers to classroom application is hugely important.
The guided explanations paired with opportunities to create aligned questions yourself scaffolds the learning process, building confidence in using Bloom’s Taxonomy. Being able to immediately have students try a Bloom Taxonomy activity further cements this.
For its clarity, methodical training approach, reinforced connections, and classroom integration, I believe this resource merits 5 shining stars. It empowers teachers to turn Bloom’s Taxonomy from an abstract concept into a powerful teaching strategy.
The result is substantial gains in critical thinking and higher order skills among students. When you consider the immense educational benefits unlocked, the resource delivers absolutely top-tier value worthy of the highest recommendations. 5 stars all the way!
The best way to understand the power of this resource is to try it out yourself! You and your students will quickly see the many benefits.
Engage Your Students with this Dynamic Boudica Resource
Are you looking for an engaging way to introduce your students to Boudica, the Celtic queen who led a revolt against Roman rule in ancient Britain? This comprehensive resource on Boudica is perfect for KS2 students studying the Romans.
What makes this resource so useful?
It’s clearly organized into teaching units, student activities, and homework, making it simple to implement in your classroom.
The teaching units provide key background context on Boudica, the Iceni tribe she ruled, and the tensions with Rome that sparked her rebellion. This context helps students understand what motivated Boudica.
The student activities allow students to immediately apply what they learned. Multiple choice and short answer questions let students showcase their understanding.
Two homework assignments encourage students to practice using new vocabulary and writing skills. You can easily assign these for homework or independent practice.
Beyond the excellent content, the resource is formatted in an easy-to-use document. You can print or photocopy pages to distribute in class. No prep work needed!
If you want to go beyond the textbook and deliver an interactive Boudica lesson, this resource has everything you need. The historical narrative and comprehension questions will get your students excited about this courageous woman warrior who stood up to Rome’s might. Download this engaging resource today!
Based on the comprehensive nature of this Boudica resource, I would give it 5 out of 5 stars. Here’s a summary of why it deserves full marks:
This complete Boudica learning resource deserves a full 5-star rating. It excels in every category:
Content ★★★★★ - The teaching units provide extensive historical context while the activities and homework cement student understanding.
Organization ★★★★★ - Well-structured into clear sections, it can be used as-is or tailored to your lessons.
Engagement ★★★★★ - The compelling story of Boudica’s rebellion will enthral students. Activities allow active demonstration of knowledge.
Adaptability ★★★★★ - Easy to print/photocopy and usable across various primary levels studying ancient Rome.
Value ★★★★★- With both lesson and assessments included, this comprehensive resource is a steal.
With intriguing primary source content, useful annotations for instruction, and opportunities for students to apply critical thinking, this 5-star resource has everything you need for dynamic Boudica lessons. It will make both teaching and learning about the Celtic warrior queen Boudica engaging and enjoyable.
Teachers - Bring Cinderella to Life with this Skill-Building Lesson!
Do you want an engaging new way to have students climb the beanstalk with Cinderella? This interactive lesson uses the classic fairytale to advance collaboration, thinking, self-regulation, and independent learning - four essential skills research shows boost achievement.
The step-by-step plans break down the story structure, then have students complete a story mountain to map the plot. Higher order questions analyze traditional tale elements and messages. Reflection activities connect learning processes to outcomes. Differentiated tasks allow choice in showing competencies gained.
The ready-to-use format simplifies preparation with icons linking each activity to targeted skills. Embedded teacher CPD summarises supporting evidence and suggests concrete ways to nurture metacognition.
By blending a beloved narrative with research-backed methods, this cross-curricular lesson empowers success across ability levels. Let Cinderella cast her spell on student growth in your classroom this year!
This hits the main reasons for using the lesson, connecting fairy tale engagement to the focused skills development. Highlighting the plot mapping, analysis questions, reflections, and differentiation clearly explains the interactive formats. The CPD insights and skill-matching icons showcase built-in teacher supports.
Teachers - Unhood New Skills with this Red Riding Hood Lesson
Do you want an engaging new way to have students reflect on the classic tale of Red Riding Hood? This interactive lesson uses the well-loved story to advance collaboration, thinking, assessment, and metacognition - four essential competencies confirmed by research to enhance achievement.
The step-by-step plans have students analyse text features, write a diary entry from the wolf’s perspective, and read a newspaper parody. Reflection questions connect processes to outcomes. Peer review activities build evaluative abilities. Differentiated tasks allow choice in demonstrating skills gained.
The ready-to-implement format simplifies preparation and icons match activities to targeted skill development areas. Embedded teacher CPD summarises supporting evidence and suggests ways to apply insights from peer assessment.
By blending a timeless narrative with research-backed methods, this cross-curricular lesson empowers deeper understanding across ability levels. Let Red Riding Hood lead the way to student growth this year!
This hits the main reasons for using the lesson, linking engagement to focused skill building. It explains the interactive formats like the diary and parody. The CPD insights and skill-matching icons clearly showcase built-in teacher support.
Noun Phrases 2 - Peer Teaching
Working with a partner, pupils made brief notes on Noun Phrases in part 1. The same pair should now be ready to make a presentation on this topic to another pair. In return this other pair will also make a presentation (on the same topic) back to them. In this process, all four pupils experience peer teaching and being peer taught thereby creating four “experts”. There is a suggested page of notes included in this part for pupils to check their own notes against before they peer teach this topic to each other.
These four experts then combine the best bits of both of their presentations to create a short video about Noun Phrases. This video will form part of a library of grammar topics to be shared among the class.
Noun Phrases 3 - Self-Assessment
Having made notes with a partner (part 1) and experienced peer teaching (and peer learning) and making a video (part 2) in a group of four pupils should now be ready to work on their own. After answering the questions pupils then self-assess their own work. The idea is to check that pupils’ individual understanding of Noun Phrases is secure.
After completing this question and answer self-assessment unit pupils are in a position to see whether they are a purple monster (peer learner) or a green monster (peer teacher) of this topic. Purple monsters should be encouraged to watch videos on this topic.
An unbeatable collection of 19 maths topics which showcase the most common SATs questions within each topic.
The main activity in each unit involves pupils in answering a wide-range of SATs-style questions which means that this bundle is ideal KS2 Maths SATs preparation.
This collection harnesses powerful evidence-based learning skills that have been proven to maximise learning. Answers are included.
Firstly, pupils answer the questions on their own and then there is a peer assessment and a peer teaching activity to deepen pupils’ understanding of the topic. There is also a hint of metacognition for good measure!
This resource combines maths revision using a variety of SATs-style questions with the evidence-based learning skills of peer assessment and peer teaching to deepen pupils’ understanding of the topic. Both of these skills are proven to raise achievement. Answers are included.
SATs-style questions + Peer Assessment + Peer Teaching = A Winning Combination
This resource combines maths revision using a variety of SATs-style questions with the evidence-based learning skills of peer assessment and peer teaching to deepen pupils’ understanding of the topic. Both of these skills are proven to raise achievement. Answers are included.
SATs-style questions + Peer Assessment + Peer Teaching = A Winning Combination
This resource combines maths revision using a variety of SATs-style questions with the evidence-based learning skills of peer assessment and peer teaching to deepen pupils’ understanding of the topic. Both of these skills are proven to raise achievement. Answers are included.
SATs-style questions + Peer Assessment + Peer Teaching = A Winning Combination
This resource combines maths revision using a variety of SATs-style questions with the evidence-based learning skills of peer assessment and peer teaching to deepen pupils’ understanding of the topic. Both of these skills are proven to raise achievement. Answers are included.
SATs-style questions + Peer Assessment + Peer Teaching = A Winning Combination