The Self-Regulated Learning Guide: Teaching Students to Think in the Language of Strategies

by Timothy J Cleary

The Self-Regulated Learning Guide introduces K-12 teachers to the basics of self-regulation. Highly practical and supported by cutting-edge research, this book offers a variety of techniques for seamlessly infusing self-regulated learning principles into the classroom and for nurturing students’ motivation to strategize, reflect, and succeed. Featuring clear explanations of the psychology of self-regulation, these nine chapters provide teachers with core concepts, realistic case scenarios, reflection activities, and more to apply SRL concepts to classroom activities with confidence.

156 pages, Hardcover

Published February 7, 2018

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written overview of what SRL is and how to use it daily in your teaching. As a third grade teacher, it was affirming to read about the many strategies elementary teachers do already that involve teaching students the SRL strategies. This book felt more geared towards middle and high school teachers who may not teach in the way elementary school teachers naturally do. We scaffold every lesson to include reflection and thinking in the language of strategies. As mentioned in the book, it becomes difficult to separate your teaching instruction and SRL strategies as they become one and the same. This is absolutely true for elementary school teachers.

My biggest questions are about using the reflection before and after tests with younger students. The book had a detailed test preparation worksheet and student study plan worksheet. What kind of resources do you use with younger students? Most of the time students who don't perform well on a test is due to not understanding the concepts taught or not being developmentally ready for the concept. I've used a reflection sheet after a math assessment and the students who were able to use the sheet successfully were the ones who understood why they had made the mistake. The students who got the answer wrong because they didn't understand how to solve the problem were not able to reflect on why they got the answer wrong or what they could do to do better next time.

I'd love to see a version of this book specifically targeted for younger students as most of the examples and models were for middle and high school students.

Having said that, it is a great resource and as mentioned validating for elementary teachers for the strategies and activities we use daily that support SRL strategies.