High stress levels can impair executive function. It is going to be so much more important to incorporate mindfulness and other stress relieving strategies as we return to school. The video stated not to skimp on recess, and I am beginning to think about incorporating two recesses during the day when we return instead of one. 

I enjoyed this video because I think a major job as teachers is not only to teach our content area, but also how to succeed when they graduate. I want them to learn how to prioritize things going on in their life and learn time management. I love the idea of actually walking through the major priorities that they have in order to learn how they can manage to get all of their important tasks done for the week.

It is important to physicalize conceptual ideas, as this is something still formulating in young minds.

Priority lists help to categorize and de-clutter the work load of a student.

It is important to physicalize conceptual ideas, as this is something still formulating in young minds.

Priority lists help to categorize and de-clutter the work load of a student.

"Long-term assignments can be particularly challenging for students with deficits in executive function. One way to address this issue is by directly teaching students how to map out larger projects and break them down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Use a calendar to determine when each smaller assignment will need to be finished, and place the smaller benchmark goals on the calendar."

This has been most useful for all levels of students. Those students who are able to organize themselves on their own can simply pride themselves in double checking. Those who need help organizing their time and process have the added support and encouragement step by step.

I thought the strategy that they presented in this video was a very useful strategy.  I liked how they wrote all of the assignments on the board and then labeled them with an A,B, C priority and they even numbered then A1, A2, etc. if there were more assignments that needed to be completed first.  I like how the students figured out the order because it will help them develop their executive functioning skills. 
 

 

To help with Executive Function:

Checklist of required materials- even better- post a picture on LMS of items to gather before beginning

 

Something I am trying during GTM is adding more structure to their work time, pausing for students to complete part of their work and posting  the end time of the allotment before moving on together.  I’m going to see if students find it helpful to stagger the teaching and the work time instead of doing all of the teaching before offering any work time.  I’m afraid that turning the students loose during the 2^nd half of the class period to do their work is causing many to fall off.

 

The article validates this, promoting frequent check-ins