Jennifer, I think it's important to be able to use language that names what we are trying to do but it is way more important to be able to do it. I think that instead of asking kids to make T-S connections we can let them make these connections as they arise and just name these as connections. I never differentiate the type of connection that is being made or request a particular connection. That seems overkill. However, naming it for kids and having them use the terms as they feel comfortable seems to me a much more natural way to go. I don't think you have to know the correct terms to be metacognitive. I think thinking about our thinking happens naturally if we encourage it. Our job could be to help kids name their thinking if this seems like it will help them get their point across succintly. Elisa
Elisa Waingort Grade 2 Spanish Bilingual Dalhousie Elementary Calgary, Canada I am thinking that it is most important to use the strategies, but I also think kids should be metacognitive...and be able to share what they are thinking about. They need the words to describe what they are doing in their heads and to describe how these strategies help them to understand. So...don't we need to name the strategies to do that? It is just keeping the naming in proper perspective...not the end goal but a means to the end. What do you all think? Jennifer
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