687.Resource, Gordon, Keep Your Eyes on the Prize: Mentor Text for Cognitive Regulation (K-2)

Cognitive Regulation refers to intentional, strategic, self-regulated learning. It includes the abilities 1) to determine what is needed to compete a task, 2) to maintain attention and reclaim it when it’s lost, 3) to commit to a goal and monitor progress along the way, 4) to identify problems and evaluate solutions, 5) to think about alternatives and chose one, 6) to seek and offer help, and 7) to become and remain organized.

Helping is one aspect of Cognitive Regulation. It includes how to ask for and offer help and how to accept or politely decline help. Keep Your Eyes on the Prize reminds teachers and parents that we can be too helpful, keeping children from exercising Cognitive Regulation. Dylan wants his science project to be his own work. His parents, however, are over helpers, so Dylan has a challenge. Dylan shows how to balance help and independence, set a goal, and monitor progress. As the humorous story begins, Dylan recognizes and resolves his problem (his parents). As it ends, he wins the science fair first prize.

Heart of Georgia RESA teachers may request a free copy of the book to use with their classes by listening to the short VoiceThread about the book, reading a brief handout that includes the ELA standards and suggested strategies for using the mentor text, and completing a request form.