“Here, I’ll give you an easier “As the puzzles get more difficult,
puzzle; then you’ll be how will you use planning like
successful.” this again?”
Studying Mindful Language
Like any language, mindful language is dynamic. Mindful language can
be created, analyzed, refined, and transmitted to others; it can also
become archaic. Students, too, can explore the linguistic structure of
mindful language. They can focus on word clusters or syntax cues within
the language; such things signal what cognitive operations those words
evoke. Sometimes this approach is referred to as discourse analysis, which
includes such cognitive processes as concept formation, relationship iden-
tification, and pattern recognition.
For example, students can search for relationships as a way of linking
information. They can find the word or word cluster that cues the think-
ing process of that relationship. This process is called relationship identi-
fication. Relationship identification requires students to
•Identify separate ideas that are related within a sentence.
•Identify the type of relationship between the ideas: addition, com-
parison, causality, sequence, or contrast.
•Identify the linguistic cues for the performance of that cognitive
relationship. Words such as both, same, and similarindicate comparing.
Wo r d s s u c h a s however, but, or on the other handindicate contrasting.
Wo r d s s u c h a s first, next, after, and a while laterindicate sequencing.
Here’s another way to look at relationship identification:Cognitive Type of Example of
Process Relationship Linguistic Cue
ADDITION Two ideas go together “He is intelligent AND
in the same way. he is kind.”
COMPARISON Common attributes “Shaun AND Sarah
are shared. BOTH play the violin.”
To w a r d a M i n d f u l L a n g u a g e o f L e a r n i n g 131