This study describes the thinking skills, patterns of thinking skills,and metacognitive functions ofthe learners in problem
solving.Furthermore, the study builds a framework in problem solving merging the thinking skills and metacognitive functions for better performance in mathematics. Eighteen junior students taking Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics of Bicol University College of Education were the subjects of the study and were classified into two ability groups. Each student answered problem-‐solving questions and made an account about what went on their minds as they performed each task. The primary sources of data are the actual written answers to the questions, the reflection of the
thinking skills and oral interviews.The study finds that the thinking skills utilized by the students are recalling, representing, identifying relation, elaborating, defining problem, establishing criteria, setting goals, summarizing
and verifying. Individual learners use two-‐skill thinking pattern but not more than five-‐skill thinking combination. The subjects exhibit metacognitive awareness, metacognitive evaluation and metacognitive regulation that operated as pathways from one function to the other. Findings show that an individual student has his/her own pattern of solving a problem. It also shows that thereis a relationship between pattern of thinking skills and abilitygrouping.
This
implies
that
the
teacher
should
not
impose
a
particular
approach
in
solving
a
problem.