FAQS

The Metacognitive Process Sheet for Students

1. Set the goal
2. Develop a plan to meet the goal
3. Select strategies to use; Then monitor your progress & adapt as you go
4. Evaluate the outcome; Reflect on the process & adapt for next time

Step 1: Set the Goal

Questions to ask yourself:

• What info am I supposed to learn from this?  If I’m not sure, how/where can I find that info?
• What do I already know about this topic?  How can I keep that in mind as I complete this task?
• What past experiences relate to this task?
• How much time do I have to complete this?

Step 2: Develop a plan to meet the goal

Questions to ask yourself:

• What should I do first?
• What should I look for (in this reading, for example)?
• How much time do I have to complete this?
• What are some challenges I might run into?
• If so, how do I overcome them?
• What are some resources I might need?  How do I access those resources?

Step 3: Select strategies to use; Then monitor your progress & adapt as you go

Questions to ask yourself:

• What is the best way to approach this? Which strategy to use?
• What’s worked well for me before?
• How am I doing?
• Do I understand this?
• Is this working?
• Am I on the right track?
• What should I be remembering? How?
• Should I adjust the pace?
• Should I try another strategy?
• If there’s something I don’t understand, what can I do?

Step 4: Evaluate the outcome; Reflect on the process & adapt for next time

Questions to ask yourself:

• How well did I do?
• Did I get the results I expected?
• Is this working?
• What worked well?  What didn’t work well? What can I change for next time?
• Can I apply this way of thinking to other tasks/situations?
• Is there anything I still don’t understand?  If so, how can I fill in any knowledge gaps?

TEAL Center staff. (2012, February). Just write! guide. Fact sheet: Metacognitive processes. Retrieved from https://teal.ed.gov/tealGuide/metacognitive