Executive Functioning Strategies Handout

This handout is designed to help you reflect on and apply key strategies to improve your executive functioning skills. Think about your own experiences and how planning, organization, and self-control play a role in your daily life.

What is Executive Functioning?

Executive functioning refers to the skills that help you plan, organize, and complete tasks efficiently. In this session, you'll explore how these skills affect your schoolwork and personal routines.

Reflection:

What does executive functioning mean to you? How do you see it in your everyday activities?

Personal Strategies for Success

Below are some strategies to consider:

• Time Management: Prioritize tasks and create a schedule that works for you.
• Organization: Keep track of assignments and personal items using tools that suit you best.
• Self-Control: Identify methods to reduce distractions and stay focused on your goals.

Activity:

Choose one strategy from above and describe a specific situation where this strategy could help you overcome a challenge or improve your performance.

Personal Reflection

Think about a recent experience where you faced a challenge at school or in your personal routine. How could applying better executive functioning skills have made a difference? Write your thoughts below:

Action Plan

List one practical step you will take in the next week to improve your executive functioning skills. For example, this might be planning your homework schedule or setting up a distraction-free study space.

Remember, by understanding and applying these strategies, you can enhance your academic success and personal growth. Take your time to reflect and be honest with your answers. Happy strategizing!

Executive Functioning Skill Builders

This activity is designed to help 9th grade students actively engage in improving their executive functioning skills. The exercises included are aimed at enhancing planning, organization, and self-control. Through group tasks and individual challenges, students will learn to apply these skills in practical, everyday scenarios.

Activity Overview

• Objective: Enhance students' executive functioning skills through interactive exercises.
• Duration: 20-25 minutes, to be integrated into your 45-minute session.
• Materials Needed: Whiteboard/flip chart, markers, printed handouts of scenarios (digital or physical), and optionally a timer.

Activity Structure

1. Introduction (3 minutes)

• Briefly explain what executive functioning skills are and why they matter in everyday life and academics.
• Highlight the goals of the activity: improving planning, organization, and self-control.

2. Group Brainstorm (7 minutes)

• Instructions: Divide the class into small groups (3-4 students per group). Ask each group to brainstorm examples of everyday scenarios where executive functioning skills are important (e.g., planning a study schedule, organizing a project, managing time during exams).

• Guiding Questions:

  • What challenges do you face that require planning and organization?
  • How can better self-control help you overcome distractions during study time?

• Sharing: Have one representative from each group note down their top example on the whiteboard.

3. Scenario Challenge (10 minutes)

• Instructions: Hand out a simple scenario to each group (or project scenarios one at a time). Each scenario should depict a common challenge, such as:

  • Scenario 1: You have multiple assignments due in one week. How would you prioritize and schedule your work?
  • Scenario 2: You've been distracted by social media and missed studying for an exam. How can you adjust your plan to get back on track?
  • Scenario 3: A group project has uneven participation. What organizational system can you propose to ensure everyone contributes equally?

• Ask each group to discuss and come up with a practical strategy to address the scenario, ensuring they touch on key executive functioning skills like planning, organization, and self-control.

• Notes: Encourage groups to write down their strategies on a sheet of paper or a provided template.

4. Reflection and Discussion (5 minutes)

• Instructions: Bring the class back together. Invite each group to briefly share their scenario and the strategy they developed.

• Follow-Up Questions:

  • What was the most challenging part of the scenario?
  • How would you apply these strategies in real-life situations?
  • What skills do you think you need to improve further?

• Conclude by summarizing key strategies discussed and encourage students to be mindful of using these skills in their daily lives.

Additional Reflection (Post-Activity Homework)

• Ask students to reflect individually on a recent personal or academic challenge and write a short paragraph on how they could apply the strategies discussed today to handle a similar situation in the future. Use the space below for notes:

Remember, developing strong executive functioning skills can lead to improved academic success and overall personal growth. Happy strategizing and skill building!