Tips for teaching executive function skills in the classroom: Managing Student Work

I love to consult with teachers to help them learn how to build and strengthen executive function skills for their students {learn more about executive function skills right now} Often, it's just a matter of tweaking things they may already have attempted or have in place. Today, I'd like to focus on classroom procedures, in particular managing student work.. This is especially helpful for primary grades however, it also continues to be very beneficial on up through high school! The key is to have consistent, replicable SYSTEMS in place that the child can learn at the beginning of the year that will carry them through the school year. 

Why systems? Because kids with executive functioning deficits need consistency in order to learn how to manage themselves and their things both in the present and for the future. Having consistent systems in place from the beginning allow a child to not only be successful right away but also to then explore their own systems which will help them self regulate and strengthen their metacognition skills. In addition, having replicable classroom systems lessens YOUR frustration too! Here are three easy to implement systems, using a scaffolding approach, to help you manage student work. 

1. Assigning Work: There must be a permanent place where students can go to find their assignments. This not only alleviates them having to ask you if they forget or miss it, but allows them to become independent in that they will know exactly where to look to find the answer on their own. Post assignments on a specific area of the chalkboard each day. Begin with direct instruction to write down assignments until students show mastery of the task as you personally monitor them. After mastery at this level, begin to simply give a reminder to write down assignments. Finally, simply continue to write the assignments on the board without giving any verbal reminder to write them down.   
2. Monitoring Work: In order to increase on task behavior {sustained attention} you must have a system in place for monitoring student work. One way to accomplish this is to have a period of direct instruction first, followed by a period of having students complete a short amount of the same work {one or two problems} with your initial guide to get started.  Then, if they seem to grasp the concept, have them complete more problems independently. 
3. Collecting Work:  In order to provide students with support with being accountable for their assignments {classwork and homework} you must first have a more direct system of collecting completed work. For example, personally collecting student work by gathering assignments while you walk past each desk. After students demonstrate success at this level, you can then move to a student collection system or assignment tray followed by an independent system like a check off system. 

Do you want even more ideas on how to implement systems in your classroom to lessen frustration for YOU and your students? Get more information here. 

Until next time, keep growing and blooming!

Jen