Cognitive Approach in
the Classroom
✦ Social Learning & Peer Interaction:
Students learn through joint interactions
with teacher and peers (collaboration, peer-
editing, writing stations)
✦ Scaffolding: Assisted learning where
teacher guides instruction so that students
master the skills that allow higher cognitive
functioning. Teacher will provide essay
scaffolds and paragraph scaffolds
so students move from current level to
independent mastery and capability  Four Approaches to Classroom
✦ Self-Regulated Learning: Students will
learn to guide their own learning by
breaking down complicated texts
independently and in groups
✦ Writing Instruction: Students will be
taught writing process models (scaffolds)
and will work in groups and help one
another to plan, draft, edit, revise, and
“publish” work
✦ Reading Instruction: Students will be
given choice of texts and will be given
hands-on activities in relation to text.
Students will collaborate on reading,
question author, dissect themes, etc.
✦ Top-Down Processing: Students start with
complex problems/ideas and work, with
teacher’s guidance, the basic skills required
to solve these problems.
Why Cognitive
Approach?
Welcome to Mr.
✦ Teacher guides learning by teaching
students to build knowledge structures and
Ricks’ Class!
use reasoning
11th Grade English
✦ Encourages students to actively engage in
learning process
✦ Students learn how to use brain more
effectively
✦ Students construct knowledge in own
minds
✦ Students learn how to learn, thus
developing true understanding
✦ Finds most effective way for student to
learn (visual, auditory, etc.) Management:
✦ Students learn to see the “big picture” and
✦Behavioral: Teacher defines learning in
how all parts construct the whole
behavioral terms, shapes student
✦ Ensures students understand concepts and
not merely memorize answers learning, and reinforces student
behavior.
“This perspective emphasizes
learning in depth, rather than ✦ Cognitive: Teacher relies on students’
learning that is a mile wide
abilities to reason and use this
and an inch deep” (Slavin,
reasoning to assess their own actions.
2018)
✦Humanist: Teacher acts as facilitator
Because the Cognitive approach uses the that encourages students to manage
student’s preferred and most successful
themselves in the classroom.
approach to learning, a Universal Design for
Learning will be implemented in the classroom.
✦Social Psychological: Teacher stresses
This includes providing multiple means of
students learn and utilize social skills to
presentation, expression, and engagement. This
includes students with IEPs, which I will follow manage their actions.
and adjust instruction accordingly.

• Listening to the Teacher and Others:
Students will not speak while someone else
is speaking. Students will raise their hands
and wait to be called on to speak. This allows
everyone an opportunity to share ideas.
• Transitions: Students will arrive on time
for class and be seated before the bell rings.
Students will be silent in the hallways and
will stay on task during collaborative work.
• Materials: Students will arrive prepared for
class with writing utensil, notebook, and
assigned materials. Extra writing utensils
and paper will available in class.
• Class Materials: Class copies of texts,
writing utensils, and lined paper will be
available at the front of room.
• Restroom: Students will raise their hand
and ask to use the restroom. Students will
not be able to use the restroom during the
first and last 10 minutes of class.
• Talking to Other Students: During
collaborative work, students will remain on
task and discuss the assignment
• Eating and Drinking: Students may drink • Incomplete Assignments: Failure to complete
water in class but eating is only allowed assignments will result in a zero grade.
outside of the classroom However, students have the opportunity to
• Teacher’s Desk: Items on the teacher’s desk
make up assignments during lunch or after
are not for student use. Any materials the
school.
students need will be located on the table at
the front of the room.
• Attending to Directions: Students will limit
confusion and promote time management by
following the teachers directions and the
directions on assignments
• Boundaries: During peer review, students will
act professionally and offer constructive
criticism. Students will encourage and support
one another during the writing process.
Students will remain open-minded and
inclusive during collaboration
• Absences: The school’s absence policy will be • Fair Treatment: Students will treat others the
adhered to in the classroom ( one additional way they wish to be treated
day to make up work for every day absent). • Respect: Students will promote a positive and
Any missed assignments can be accessed on safe learning environment by being
the class website and any worksheets will be supportive, inclusive, open-minded, and
available in the folders at the front of the tolerant of other cultures, traditions,
room. identities, and backgrounds
•Health and Medications: The class will follow
the procedures regarding health and
medication as outlined by school policy.
Classroom and instructional adaptations will
be made. In terms of IEPs and medications, the
teacher will follow the student’s IEP and
contact school health professionals.