1. LD/ADHD Initiative Executive Functions Modules
Session Two
Strategy Sheets
Elementary

2. What might this look like in your classroom?
Executive Functions Session 2 Strategy Sheet Elementary How Do I Develop Shifting and Initiation Skills?
Definition: Shifting
Impact: Shifting
Freely moves from one situation, activity, or aspect of a problem to another as the situation demands
Makes transitions and solves problems with flexibility
Gets stuck on a topic or tends to perseverate
Definition: Initiate
Impact: Initiate
Begins a task and works independently
Is a self- starter
Trouble getting started on classwork, homework or chores
LD/ADHD Initiative
Department of Special Education and Student Services, HCPSS
What might this look like in your classroom?

3. What might this look like in your classroom?
Executive Functions Session 2 Strategy Sheet Elementary How Do I Develop Shifting and Initiation Skills?
Environmental Supports
Teaching Strategy
Post classroom rules/agenda/schedule and review regularly
Prepare students for changes in the schedule or agenda
Provide time for gathering of materials
before beginning key directions or instructions
Build independence by explaining, modeling and then fading prompts (gradual release of responsibility)
Ask students to check visually posted agenda/directions
Have peer buddies help students who have shifting/initiation difficulties
Use a timer or an on-line visual stopwatch/timer, monitor when they move and start another activity, and tell them how long they have to complete it.
Prepare students ahead of time for shifting or changing activities
Cue the student (external to internal)
Teach wait/stop
Teach delayed gratification
Go over rules/agenda/schedule posted in your room on a regular basis
Ask students to put away materials before the next activity and/or get materials ready for the next activity
Highlight and model the first step. Give examples of how to jump-start the first step
Have a “how-to-begin” card on students’ desks to help remind them how to jump start
LD/ADHD Initiative
Department of Special Education and Student Services, HCPSS
What might this look like in your classroom?

4. What might this look like in your classroom?
Executive Functions Session 2 Strategy Sheet Elementary How Do I Develop Planning/Organization Skills?
Definition Planning/Organization
Impact Planning/Organization
Anticipates future events or consequences
Uses goals or instructions to guide behavior in context
Develops or implements appropriate steps ahead of time to carry out a task
Difficulty planning for long term assignments
Difficulty organizing timelines, prioritizing, and getting started
Often procrastinates or has difficulty finishing tasks before starting another
LD/ADHD Initiative
Department of Special Education and Student Services, HCPSS
What might this look like in your classroom?

5. What might this look like in your classroom?
Executive Functions Session 2 Strategy Sheet Elementary How Do I Develop Planning/Organization Skills?
Environmental Supports
Teaching Strategy
Provide a plan/template
Provide planning tools (calendar, agenda book, technology)
Provide a visual (e.g. roadmap) to think about the planning required to complete a task or assignment
Create plans or task checklists for students then cue students to check off each step as completed
Model note-taking
Create templates for visual organizers
Give master copies of lecture notes or have students fill in the blanks on a note-taking sheet
Walk through the planning process and gradually prompt students
Involve students as much as possible in the planning process once you have been providing models
Ask questions to get students to prioritize (What do you need? What should you do first?)
Use analogies
Use class generated rubrics
Use preferred activities or mastered skills as a starting point
Prompt prioritizing by asking your student what needs to get done first
Scaffold (whatever assistance is needed to move from prior knowledge & skill to the next level of knowledge and skill) to understand concepts and tasks
Breakdown long-term assignments into subtasks with due dates
LD/ADHD Initiative
Department of Special Education and Student Services, HCPSS
What might this look like in your classroom?

6. What might this look like in your classroom?
Executive Functions Session 2 Strategy Sheet Elementary How Do I Develop Organization of Materials?
Definition: Organization of Materials
Impact: Organization of Materials
Keeps home and school materials organized
Able to organize backpack and belongings
Difficulty organizing study area and binders,
Lack of structure in place to keep areas neat (bookcase, materials, sports equipment)
Does not place belongings or equipment in proper places,
Misplaces permission slips, homework, materials
LD/ADHD Initiative
Department of Special Education and Student Services, HCPSS
What might this look like in your classroom?

7. What might this look like in your classroom?
Executive Functions Session 2 Strategy Sheet Elementary How Do I Develop Organization of Materials?
Environmental Supports
Teaching Strategies
Create a consistent, predictable environment
Establish routines and schedules
Post visual cues and highlight changes to the daily routine
Have students turn in homework to a specified location (i.e. same location in all grade level classrooms)
Give the students plastic bins labeled for possessions
Use timers – visual, digital, and online
Use three ring binders, accordion folders, color coded folders for each subject or completed vs. not completed work
Provide additional support during transitions and when new concepts, tasks or environments are introduced
Photo books: Take a picture of what desks or areas in the classroom should look like when organized
Build bridges from the familiar to the unfamiliar by discussing changes in environment or routine
Make desk cleaning a joint project – organize your materials/desk at the same time as the students and explicitly explain how to organize
Practice and model organization strategies allowing time to adjust to routine
Model multiple ways of approaching organization
Teach tricks and technology to help with organizational weaknesses
Practice packing and unpacking student backpacks and use a timer to see how quickly they can do it
LD/ADHD Initiative
Department of Special Education and Student Services, HCPSS
What might this look like in your classroom?