12th Grade Executive Functions Lesson Plan

Topic: executive functions and their impact on learning

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to describe the components of executive functions and their role in everyday life.
• Students will be able to identify strategies for improving executive function skills in the classroom and beyond.

Materials

• Organization stationery and supplies (e.g. folders, paper clips, stapler, pens)
• List of executive function skills and their definitions
• Handouts with different strategies for improving executive function skills

Warm-up

• Have students complete a "Find Your Strengths" exercise, such as the one found at http://www. strengthsportfolio.com/
• Discuss how strengths can be used to overcome challenges and improve skills.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of executive functions and their role in learning.
• Use handouts and visuals to explain the six main executive functions:
• -Initiative: the ability to start tasks and activities
• -Planning: the ability to organize tasks and activities
• -Organization: the ability to arrange information or materials in a way that helps you achieve your goals
• -Efficiency: the ability to do things correctly and efficiently
• -Self-monitoring: the ability to monitor and adjust your own behavior
• -Self-regulation: the ability to control your emotions and behavior
• Discuss how each executive function can contribute to learning, including positive and negative examples.
• Provide examples of how strengths can be applied to each executive function.

Guided Practice

• Have students work in pairs to brainstorm ways that they can use their strengths to support each executive function.
• Have pairs share their ideas with the class and discuss how they can apply their strengths to each executive function.
• As a class, create a list of strengths that students can use to support their executive functions.

Independent Practice

• Have students choose one executive function to focus on for the project.
• Have students identify one or more of their strengths that they can use to support their chosen executive function.
• Have students create a project that demonstrates how they are using their strengths to support their executive function. This could be a presentation, poster, or written report.

Closure

• Review the importance of executive functions in learning and how strengths can support their use.
• Have students share their projects with the class.

Assessment

• Observe students during independent practice and provide feedback on their understanding of executive functions and how they impact learning.
• Collect and review the projects completed for independent practice to assess understanding of the topic.