Executive Function Skills Strategies to improve Executive Function Skills

the ability to self-regulate . . . Executive Function is the ability to self-regulate . . . Attention and Concentration Memory Organization Time Management Impulse and Emotion Control

Executive Functioning. A person can be born with a deficit in The frontal lobe located just behind the forehead is the control center for managing behavior. http://alienhippy.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/still-pondering-on-efd-executive-function-disorder “Executive function difficulties are REAL even ob-servable through brain imaging that confirms parts of the brain are not operating optimally.” -Kathryn Phillips, BER

Executive Function Depression ADHD Learning Disabilities Executive function problems are related with a number of psychiatric and development disorders. These include: Depression ADHD Learning Disabilities

What can Teachers and Parents do ? “Provide an accommodating learning environment for students and build their capacity as learners by teaching strategies that they can use throughout life. “ (Kathryn Phillips, Executive Function Skills)

The Developmental Process for Executive Function Skill Development: I. Explicit Instruction II. Scaffolding Learning III. Practice IV. Real Life Opportunities

At the Elementary Level TEACH THE SKILLS: A. Model with specific instruction and guided practice. B. Create systems, scaffold, and review strategies. C. Encourage students to develop their own strategy styles.

At the Middle School Level: PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE: A. Continue guided practice of learned strategies and support adding new strategies. B. Review students’ individual strategies with them. C. Maintain existing strategies and add to them.

Strategies: Attention & Concentration 1. Nonverbal Cues 2. Secret Word - to bring back to task 3. Name-Dropping 4. Cue Cards 5. Get Ready-Do-Done Cards 6. Red & Green Cups 7. Self-Monitor Forms 8. Passage of Time Clock

Strategies: MEMORY 1. Short Term Memory: A. Checklists B. Homework Planner C. Study Buddies 2. Long Term Memory: A. Visual Cuing B. Picture Cues, Physical Movement, Scribes C. Sentence Starters, Thought Gathering, Hooks

Strategies: MEMORY (continued) 3. Automatic Memory: A. Music B. Flash Cards, Quiz Shows 4. Working Memory: A. Repetition, Rehearsal, Review, Triple Talk B. Chunking, Crazy Phrases, Mnemonics C. Sentence Starters, Thought Gathering, Hooks

Strategies: MEMORY (continued) 5. Reading Memory: A. Content Reading, STAR B. SKIM RAP 6. Writing Memory: A. PLEASE B. TREE Stop, Dare C. POWER D. PROVE Pieces of a Thesis - Graphic Organizer for Pieces of a Thesis

Strategies: MEMORY (continued) 7. Math Memory: A. Content Reading, STAR B. SKIM RAP 8. Peer Tutoring 9. General Accommodations for Memory

STRATEGIES: ORGANIZATION 1. Classroom Space and Materials Organization A. Routines B. Desk-Cleaning Procedures, C. Desk and Locker-Cleaning Procedures 2. Organizing Thoughts A. Organized way to approach reading material (SQ3R, PRWR, RAP) B. Highlighting Techniques C. Note Taking (Two Column Notes, Cornell Method) 3. Studying for Tests A. Flash Cards B. Triple Note Tote

STRATEGIES: TIME MANAGEMENT 1. Homework A. Daily Homework Plan B. Desk-Cleaning Procedures, C. Desk and Locker-Cleaning Procedures 2. Long Term Projects A. Selecting a Topic B. Project Planning Form, Daily Coaching Conference C. Halfway Check Point D. Time Averaging 3. Studying for Tests A. Flash Cards B. Triple Note Tote

STRATEGIES: Impulse and Emotion Control 1. Managing Anxiety A. Five Point Scale B. Calming Box, Take Five C. Other Strategies A-Z 2. Extreme Melt Down/Blow-Up Strategy A. Low and Slow B. The Escalation Continuum 3. Social Planning A. Social Stories, Comic Strip Conversations B. Mentoring and Peer Social Coaches, Video Modeling

Executive Functioning As educators, it is important to look at Executive Function difficulties in students as a physical (neurodevelopmental) condition rather than willful problem behaviors. By teaching strategies and providing an accommodating, supportive and positive learning environment, we will help struggling students build their capacity as learners and identify steps that will work for them throughout their lives. (Kathryn Phillips, Executive Function Skills)