I like to teach Executive Functioning Skills at the beginning of the year as a way to organize school supplies, folders, notebooks, and lockers. It is also a way for getting to know your students. After a discussion of what they are and why they are important, continuously ask questions on how they can use specific skills. 

Task Initiation - The ability to transition from one task and start another. Discuss how to get past the "I don't wanna..." phase and how does it help?

Planning - Having a plan on what your day will look like to planning big tasks like school projects or re-imagining and decorating your bedroom, it is important to know what needs to be completed first, and what supplies you might need. Even planning for an after school activities requires you to think what might be needed.

Organization - I am a firm believer that if we are not organized, than our thoughts and plans are probably not organized. It is the key to it all! Why waste time looking for things if you have a place for it! I like to ask students if they find themselves looking for their shoes in the morning before school. Many agree that this tends to be a problem. 

Metacognition - A difficult one to teach, but goes well with reading strategies and when you are modeling. How can this skill develop studying habits?

Time Management - This is great for discussing use of students' agenda / calendars. Thinking about afterschool activities and homework - give them time to reflect on when they can get it done. This is also an area where students think about pacing themselves during an assignment.

Self-Control - A very difficult task for some of our little ones. Having a Calm Down Corner or an area in your classroom where students can go to reset is a must have in every classroom. It doesn't hurt to model using it yourself!

Perseverance - During state testing this topic comes up a lot! Persevering when concepts get difficult. I like to try and recognize students efforts when they try really hard when things get difficult. 

Attention - What are things that distract you? Recognize that everyone gets distracted and it is normal, but catching ourselves in the act and redirecting ourselves back to the task is what matters.

Working Memory - recalling phonics patterns and times tables is using your working memory. What strategy works best for you? This is another area that is fun where we talk about our strengths from the Multiple Intelligences lessons.