Executive Functioning

Topic: executive functioning

Objectives & Outcomes

• Understand the concept of executive functioning and its role in daily life
• Identify and practice using executive functioning skills in different situations

Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Handouts with examples of executive functioning skills and scenarios in which they can be used

Warm-up

• Ask students if they have heard of executive functioning before. What do they think it is?
• Write down their responses on the whiteboard.
• Explain that executive functioning is the set of mental skills that help us organize and manage our thoughts and actions. It impacts the way we think, act, and solve problems.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the six executive functioning skills:
• Organization: the ability to arrange ideas and materials in a way that is logical and easy to follow
• Activation: the ability to get started on tasks and to finish what we start
• Emotional Control: the ability to manage our emotions and behavior in appropriate ways
• Flexibility: the ability to adjust to changes in plans or situations
• Problem-Solving: the ability to come up with creative solutions to problems
• Task-Management: the ability to manage our time and get things done

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into small groups and give each group a scenario. For example, "You are getting ready for the concert tonight and need to pack your backpack with everything you will need. What would you pack and in what order would you pack it?"
• Have each group discuss and brainstorm their strategies for solving the problem. Encourage them to think about their executive functioning skills and how they can use them to solve the problem.
• Bring the class back together and have each group share their strategies and solutions.

Independent Practice

• For independent practice, have students complete a variety of executive function activities. You can find these activities online or in a book such as The Executive Brain or The Organized Mind.
• Encourage students to think about how they are using their executive functioning skills to complete the task.

Closure

• Review the executive functioning skills and their importance in daily life.
• Ask students to share one thing they learned about executive functioning during the lesson.

Assessment

• Observe students during the independent practice activity and provide feedback on their understanding of the concept.
• Collect and review the written reports for understanding of executive functioning and ability to apply the concept in daily life.