Document Type

Graduate Project

Date of Degree Completion

Summer 2006

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Education

Committee Chair

Don B. Woodcock

Second Committee Member

C. Weiner

Third Committee Member

Bobby Jean Cummings

Abstract

Secondary teachers are concerned that their students are having difficulties learning and retaining difficult concepts present in secondary curricula. Additionally, students may not be learning the content at a deep enough knowledge level to pass stringent high-stakes standardized tests required for graduation in the state of Washington. For students to succeed in the competitive global economy they must become self-monitoring critical thinkers. Research supports the use of writing-to-learn and content area writing strategies to facilitate metacognition and boost student learning. This project reviews the research in writing and metacognition, synthesizes the findings, and applies the results in a series of professional development sessions geared toward guiding secondary teachers in implementing writing in their classrooms to improve student learning.

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