Cognitive Theory

I believe the brain is capable of taking information and separating everything one is exposed to and compacting learned information into little files. Information that is used regularly is filed near the front of the brain and the information rarely used is sent to the back. If information is never called upon, eventually the brain will decide to throw the file out.

Cues, questions and advance organizers are great ways to start a lesson. I always try to pull prior knowledge when I introduce a new topic or continue on from something the day before. Not only does asking them to remember information keep their file at the front of their brain, it also makes their brain "keep" the file. Pitler, Hubber, Kuhn and Malenoski made the statement that starting a lesson in this fashion allows teachers to "enhance students' abilities to retrieve, use and organize the learned information" during a particular topic or unit (2007, p.73).

Cognitive Theory also bases learning through a deep understanding of information. Summarizing and note taking make this process easier (Pitler, et al. 2007). I teach first graders and I have never asked them to take notes. However I do summarize and review with them. I have found "Cowboys and Chickens" to be a fun way to practice and summarize what we have learned. This activity takes place on my SMART board. I use the shape maker to draw shapes and gather pictures that would trigger thoughts from the topic and hide them behind the shapes. I call student's names to come to the board and they get to choose a shape to move. Once they reveal the picture or word hidden, they tell the class what they know. I always hide at least one picture of a chicken and a cowboy behind a couple of shapes. When a student finds a cowboy they all yell "Yeeee-Haw" and if they find a chicken they all yell "bawk, bawk" and flap their wings. This activity stimulates their brain "files" and helps them to review or summarize their learning. By adding the fun element, everyone stays focused and gets excited to take a turn...just in case thy find the cowboy or chicken.

Utilizing these concepts will encourage a life time of learning and remembering.