The Global Metacognition Institute offers a comprehensive collection of resources designed to enhance teaching practices and foster metacognitive and self-regulated learning among students in secondary education. This article serves as a guide to navigating these invaluable tools and making the most of the Global Metacognition Institute's offerings.
These resources, available for individual download, empower educators with tools to inspire reflective and effective learning. For those seeking to access and download the entire suite of instructional materials, membership plans provide a cost-effective solution, granting unlimited downloads of all resources. Plans cater to individual teachers, departments, and whole schools, with the whole-school membership offering exclusive benefits. Whole-school plan holders can not only access all resources but also gain the ability to download in-house CPD teacher training materials tailored to metacognition and self-regulation, along with unlimited enrolment in our online training course.
In this article, for each of our teaching resources and instructional materials we will outline: what it is, what the downloadable resource includes, and how it can contribute towards your work in relation to metacognition, self-regulated learning, and reflective learning. Before that though, a very brief overview of our resource collection!
Executive Summary: Our Metacognition & Self-Regulated Learning Teaching Resource Suite Includes...
101 quick student reflection activities: An interactive PowerPoint containing 101 five-minute activities designed to promote self-regulated learning and metacognitive reflection among students.
Five assessment wrapper worksheets: Worksheets that encourage metacognitive reflection before and after assessments to enhance learning strategies.
Behavioural reflection worksheets: Ten worksheets applying self-regulated learning principles to help students reflect on their behavior during interventions.
A toolkit for boosting brain power: Six sessions connecting lifestyle choices to brain health to enhance learning power for students aged 11-16.
A collection of DIRT worksheets: Ten worksheets supporting Dedicated Improvement & Reflection Time across all subjects to foster student reflection.
ICT suite sessions on self-regulated learning: Ten one-hour sessions promoting metacognition and self-regulated learning through student-created presentations.
An interactive reflection session on thinking deeply about learning: An adaptable PowerPoint engaging students in philosophical reflection on learning strategies.
A resource on learning more from videos with metacognition: Tools with metacognitive questioning to enhance learning from videos and documentaries.
A learning power crossword pack: Five crosswords introducing key concepts of metacognition and self-regulated learning in an engaging way.
A lesson introducing metacognition and self-regulated learning: A fully resourced lesson for ages 11–16 on the principles of metacognition and self-regulated learning.
Ten lesson wrappers: Worksheets designed to foster metacognitive reflection at the start and end of lessons.
Group debate worksheet sessions on metacognition: Five lessons using A3 worksheets to promote discussions on metacognition and self-regulated learning.
Ten metacognition assemblies: Assemblies introducing key metacognitive concepts to students aged 11-16 to promote self-reflection.
Ten metacognition bookmarks: Bookmarks with reflective prompts to enhance reading strategies and literacy development.
Metacognition exercise book enhancers: Printables to promote metacognition and reflection directly in students' exercise books.
Ten metacognition exit tickets: Designs for quick end-of-lesson metacognitive reflection to assess and regulate learning.
Five metacognition knowledge hunt sessions: Interactive sessions teaching metacognition through engaging knowledge hunts.
Ten metacognition mini-worksheets: Mini reflection worksheets to integrate metacognitive reflection into daily classroom routines.
A metacognition poster set: Ten A3 posters promoting key metacognitive concepts and techniques throughout the school.
Ten metacognition reading comprehensions: Worksheets combining literacy development with metacognitive concepts to enhance understanding.
Metacognition sticky-note challenges: Interactive activities using sticky notes to promote metacognitive awareness and engagement.
Five A3 metacognition student reflection worksheets: Large worksheets covering key aspects of metacognition and self-regulated learning.
Five A4 metacognition student reflection worksheets: Worksheets introducing metacognition into lessons to encourage student reflection.
A metacognitive reflection essay writing toolkit: A resource using essay writing to teach the metacognitive cycle and improve writing skills.
Motivational reflection sessions: Presentations exploring the value of each school subject to enhance student motivation and engagement.
Four personal learning checklist templates: Templates for students to monitor and evaluate their learning progress and confidence.
A whole-school philosophy for children resource collection: Twenty sessions to bring philosophical inquiry and critical thinking into schools.
Five questioning skills training sessions: PowerPoint sessions to cultivate questioning abilities, higher-order thinking, and critical-thinking skills.
A self-assessment session: A lesson guiding students in evaluating their learning approaches and planning for improvement.
Five student self-assessment worksheets: Worksheets for students to assess their learning within specific subjects and set goals.
A target setting PowerPoint: An interactive PowerPoint with activities for target-setting to promote self-regulated learning.
Twenty target setting worksheets: Worksheets to help students set, monitor, and reflect on learning goals.
Task-focused metacognition worksheets: Worksheets integrating metacognition into any lesson's main task to enhance learning strategies.
Term start-middle-end reflection worksheets: Worksheets for reflection at the start, middle, and end of terms to track progress.
The Four Corners metacognition game: Over 100 prompts to engage students in metacognitive reflection through an interactive game.
The Learning Power Journal: A printable booklet for daily metacognitive reflection over periods of 10, 20, or 40 weeks.
The Learning Power Quiz: A one-hour team quiz introducing concepts of metacognition and self-regulation in a fun format.
The Meditation, Mindfulness, and Deep-Metacognition Toolkit: A resource introducing secular meditation to schools to enhance metacognition.
The Metacognition Think-Pair-Share question generator: A tool for generating metacognitive questions to facilitate student discussions.
The Metacognition in Mathematics toolkit: Resources for integrating metacognitive strategies into mathematics lessons.
The Metacognitive Debate Generator: A collection of 101 debate prompts on metacognition and learning power.
The Metacognitive Thunk Generator: 101 philosophical questions to stimulate deep reflection on metacognition and learning.
The printable Metacognitive Workbook: A workbook with over 100 pages of activities to enhance metacognitive strategies.
The 'Power of Mind-Maps' toolkit: Resources teaching mind-mapping as an essential study skill for organizing ideas.
The Revision Strategy Battle Planner: A six-page workbook helping students plan and strategize effectively for revision.
The Study Skills Development toolkit: A framework to help students cultivate essential study skills through self-regulated learning.
Tracking worksheets for metacognition and self-regulation: Worksheets to embed metacognitive practices into students' daily routines.
A video-learning metacognition pack: Resources to maximize educational value from video-based learning across subjects.
A video-learning workbook: A workbook facilitating home learning through documentaries and educational videos.
A virtual assessment wrapper: A reusable PowerPoint fostering metacognition during assessment preparation and review.
A virtual lesson wrapper: A PowerPoint with metacognitive activities to reflect at the start and end of lessons.
For further details on each of these resources, and the links to access and download them as individual resources, keep on reading!
Alternatively, click here to register a membership plan, which will allow you to download everything!
If you're already a plan-holder: click here to access the Members' Area
Metacognition & Self-Regulated Learning: A Detailed Guide To Our Teaching Resources
1. 101 Quick Student Reflection Activities
This resource provides 101 short, engaging reflective learning activities designed to enhance self-regulated learning, metacognition, reflective thinking, independent study skills, and overall study skill development. Each activity takes approximately five minutes, making this resource ideal for form tutors or subject teachers looking to promote reflection within limited time frames. Activities are conveniently organised within a comprehensive PowerPoint file featuring an integrated menu system, allowing educators to quickly select and implement activities during lessons or "Dedicated Improvement & Reflection Time" (DIRT).
The activities are versatile and can be used to encourage reflective habits at the start or end of lessons or as standalone reflection sessions. They provide a structured way for students to engage in critical self-assessment, identify areas for improvement, and plan actionable steps to enhance their learning.
This resource supports educators by offering an extensive variety of activities that are adaptable to any subject or classroom context. It encourages students to think critically about their learning processes, develop independent study habits, and systematically improve their work. With its user-friendly design and comprehensive range of activities, this resource is a powerful tool for embedding metacognition and reflective learning into everyday teaching.
2. Assessment Wrapper Worksheets (x5)
Assessment wrappers, also known as exam or cognitive wrappers, are tools designed to foster metacognitive reflection before and after assessments or practice exams. This resource includes five editable, double-sided A4 wrappers aimed at students aged 14-18 in subjects with formal assessments. These printables guide students through the self-regulation cycle—planning, monitoring, evaluating, and regulating their approach to assessments—helping them develop effective strategies for exam preparation and performance.
Before the assessment, students use the wrappers to set goals, identify challenges, and plan their strategies. After completing the assessment, they reflect on their performance, evaluate what worked well, and identify areas for improvement. This structured process encourages meaningful engagement with practice assessments and fosters habits of self-regulated learning that contribute to exam success.
Research supports the use of assessment wrappers as an effective method to boost achievement by making practice exams more productive. This resource is versatile and suitable for use across all secondary-level exam subjects. By embedding reflection into exam preparation, it equips students to approach assessments with greater confidence and self-awareness, improving both their readiness and their outcomes. Teachers can easily integrate these wrappers into their routines to enhance assessment preparation systematically and effectively.
3. Behavioural Reflection Worksheets
This resource offers a set of ten double-sided, colourful worksheets designed to apply the principles of self-regulated learning to behavioural interventions such as detentions or leadership-supervised sessions. Each worksheet guides students through structured reflection on their behaviour, helping them understand the consequences of their actions, identify underlying causes, and explore strategies for improvement. By fostering accountability and encouraging thoughtful self-assessment, the worksheets support positive behavioural change in a constructive and reflective manner.
The worksheets include a variety of reflection tasks that prompt students to consider the impact of their behaviour on themselves and others. Each concludes with a section for setting specific improvement targets, which can be reviewed by a teacher or supervisor overseeing the intervention. This ensures that students not only reflect but also commit to actionable steps for improvement, making the process forward-looking and productive.
This resource is ideal for use during detentions, with students referred to leadership for behavioural issues, or as part of broader interventions addressing persistent behavioural challenges. The engaging, visually appealing format makes the worksheets approachable, while the inclusion of both US and UK English spelling versions ensures suitability for international use.
By promoting self-regulation and accountability, this resource helps students take ownership of their behaviour and develop strategies for sustained improvement. It provides educators with a practical, ready-to-use tool that facilitates constructive discussions and fosters a supportive approach to behaviour management. Whether addressing one-off incidents or ongoing challenges, this resource is an invaluable addition to any educator’s toolkit for creating a reflective and responsible school culture.
4. Boosting Brain Power! (Toolkit for Supporting Healthy Brain Development in Schools)
This comprehensive resource pack is an invaluable tool for educators seeking to create self-regulating learners by connecting lifestyle choices to brain health and learning power. Designed for students aged 11-16, it consists of six engaging 40-60 minute learning sessions that focus on essential factors influencing brain development, including hydration, sleep, nutrition, exercise, mental health, and emotional well-being. Each session combines interactive presentations, activities, and worksheets to encourage students to monitor, evaluate, and regulate their habits for improved learning capacity and overall well-being.
The topics covered include "What Your Brain Needs to Develop," "Water & Metacognition," "Sleep & Metacognition," "Nutrition for Brain Development & Boosting," "Exercise, Fitness & Metacognition," and "Emotions, Mental Health & Metacognition." These sessions provide students with practical tools to reflect on their daily choices and their impact on their short-term academic performance and long-term brain development. By integrating lifestyle education with metacognitive strategies, the resource fosters a holistic approach to enhancing learning power.
This resource is ideal for PSHE lessons, offering a structured yet flexible foundation for discussions around health, learning, and self-regulation. Students are empowered to take responsibility for their physical, mental, and neurological health, which underpins their ability to learn effectively. Ready-to-use and adaptable, this resource helps schools support lifelong learning success while addressing critical areas of student well-being.
By teaching students the critical link between health and learning, this pack equips them to make informed, healthy choices that optimise brain function and academic outcomes. It is a must-have for schools aiming to foster resilient, independent learners prepared to succeed both academically and in life.
5. DIRT Worksheet Collection (Dedicated Improvement & Reflection Time)
This comprehensive collection of DIRT (Dedicated Improvement & Reflection Time) worksheets is a versatile resource designed for use across all subjects, supporting students aged 11-16 in reflecting on their progress, setting improvement targets, and fostering meaningful dialogue with teachers. With ten different worksheet formats, including four focused on metacognitive improvement and reflection, this resource is adaptable for a wide range of educational contexts.
The four metacognitive reflection worksheets—"Making The Most of My Time," "A Letter to Myself," "My Strengths & Weaknesses as a Learner," and "Progress Check"—guide students through critical self-assessment and goal-setting activities. These worksheets encourage learners to analyse their habits, evaluate their performance, and plan actionable steps for improvement. The pack also includes a large A3 DIRT worksheet, which has been widely used by educators globally, and festive-themed options to add seasonal engagement to classroom activities.
Available in editable .doc and ready-to-print .pdf formats, the resource offers flexibility for teachers to tailor activities to their students’ needs. By embedding regular reflection into lessons, this resource helps students develop metacognitive awareness, refine their learning strategies, and build independence. It also supports personalised feedback through teacher-student dialogue, creating opportunities for targeted growth and development. Ideal for fostering a culture of reflective learning, this collection is a valuable addition to any school’s toolkit.
6. ICT Suite Sessions: Self-Regulated Learning
This resource provides ten fully-resourced, one-hour ICT suite learning sessions designed to promote metacognition, self-regulated learning, and student autonomy for learners aged 11-16. Each session encourages students to independently create and deliver a presentation on metacognitive topics, supported by worksheets that guide their work during the first 35-40 minutes. The remaining time is allocated for peer presentations and assessments, ensuring an engaging and reflective learning experience.
Topics covered include metacognition, revision techniques, study skills, and independent learning, offering both solo and paired worksheet options to cater to various teaching contexts and learning preferences. Worksheets and accompanying PowerPoint instructions are fully editable, allowing teachers to tailor sessions to their specific subject or classroom needs.
Students are empowered to connect metacognitive concepts directly to their own learning journeys, fostering awareness and practical application of self-regulated learning strategies. The structured format also supports the development of essential skills such as research, presentation design, and public speaking, providing a holistic approach to fostering independence and engagement.
This resource enhances teaching by integrating key pedagogical themes with technical and presentation skills, promoting autonomy and collaboration where appropriate. By offering flexibility, variety, and a focus on personal growth, it equips students with the tools to improve their learning practices and succeed academically while encouraging meaningful reflection on their educational experiences.
7. Interactive Reflection Session - Thinking Deeply About Learning
This Interactive PowerPoint Show is a versatile resource designed to engage students aged 8-18 in profound philosophical reflection on learning and the strategies that enhance learning power. Featuring a menu-based system, it offers a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment, and closing activities, allowing teachers to customise sessions according to classroom needs. Reusable and adaptable, the resource requires no preparation and seamlessly integrates into lessons across subjects, making it an invaluable tool for promoting metacognition and self-regulated learning.
The session encourages deep reflection through philosophical discussions, debates, and targeted activities that introduce key concepts such as metacognition, growth mindset, and self-regulated learning. By nurturing metacognitive knowledge and awareness, it empowers students to analyse their learning processes and adopt strategies to improve their academic and personal development. The flexible structure ensures that teachers can select and tailor activities, creating meaningful and engaging learning experiences that align with diverse educational goals.
Designed to cultivate independent, reflective learners, this resource supports the development of critical thinking and self-awareness. It promotes metacognitive practices that help students understand and regulate their learning behaviours, fostering long-term academic success. With its ready-to-use, no-prep format, the Interactive PowerPoint Show is an effective and efficient way to enhance learning outcomes while making metacognition accessible and engaging for all students.
8. Learning More From Videos with Metacognition
This resource leverages metacognitive questioning to enhance the educational value of videos and documentaries in lessons. Designed for teachers across all subjects, it supports any video-based activity by prompting students to reflect on their engagement with the learning process. By encouraging planning, monitoring, evaluation, and regulation, the resource ensures students extract maximum value from visual content.