Boosting Executive Skills in the Classroom A Practical Guide for Educators

by Cooper-Kahn, Joyce; Foster, Margaret

• ISBN13: 9781118141090
• ISBN10: 1118141091
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-01-14
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

A guide for helping students with weak Executive Function skills to learn efficiently and effectively Students with weak Executive Function skills need strong support and specific strategies to help them learn in an efficient manner, demonstrate what they know, and manage the daily demands of school. This book shows teachers how to do exactly that, while also managing the ebb and flow of their broader classroom needs. From the author of the bestselling parenting book Late, Lost, and Unprepared, comes a compilation of the most practical tools and strategies, designed to be equally useful for children with EF problems as well as all other students in the general education classroom. Rooted in solid research and classroom-tested experience, the book is organized to help teachers negotiate the very fluid challenges they face every day; educators will find strategies that improve their classroom "flow" and reduce the stress of struggling to teach students with EF weaknesses. Includes proven strategies for teachers who must address the needs of students with Executive Function deficits Contains information from noted experts Joyce Cooper-Kahn, a child psychologist and Margaret Foster, an educator and learning specialist Offers ways to extend learning and support strategies beyond the classroom The book's reproducible forms and handouts are available for free download This important book offers teachers specific strategies to help students with EF deficits learn in an efficient manner, demonstrate what they know, and manage the daily demands of school.

Author Biography

Joyce Cooper-Kahn, PhD, is a clinical psychologist specializing in children's learning, behavioral, and emotional challenges. Coauthor of Late, Lost, and Unprepared, she presents frequently at national and international conferences.

Margaret Foster, MAed, is an instructor and consultant specializing in teaching and learning. She trains leaders internationally through WIDE World, a professional development program for educators.

Table of Contents

About the Authors

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part One: Executive Functioning: The Basics

1 What Is Executive Functioning?

Definition

Core Executive Skills

How Do Executive Skills Develop?

To Sum Up

Time to Reflect

2 Putting a Face on Executive Functions: Students Who Struggle

Executive Dysfunction: A Description, Not a Diagnosis

The Normal Variability of Executive Functioning

The Vulnerability of Executive Functioning

Poorly Targeted Instruction

The Importance of Healthy Habits

Assessment

To Sum Up

Time to Reflect

Part Two: Interventions That Boost Executive Functions

3 The EF-Smart Classroom

The Tune-up Tools: Planning, Time, Repetition, and Mind-Set

The Targets: Classroom Culture, Planning Instruction, Classroom Routines, and Classroom Design

Planning for Change

To Sum Up

Time to Reflect

4 Supporting Students Who Need More Help

Planners

Materials

Reading

Writing

Math

To Sum Up

Time to Reflect

5 The EF-Smart School

“Old School” to New Schools

Faculty Meetings

Gathering References

The Magic Formula

Time to Reflect

To Sum Up

6 How the Specialist Can Help

Examining the Learning Task and Its EF Demands

Examining Student Executive Skills for Levels of Automaticity and Independence: The Four-Quadrant Model

Consulting with Teachers

Time to Reflect

To Sum Up

7 Planning for Change

Defining a Problem of Practice

Planning and Reflection Guide

Using the Template and Guide: Case Examples

Plan to Monitor

Time to Reflect

To Sum Up

Conclusion: Helping All Students Blossom

Appendix A: The Top Three Accommodations for Students with EF Problems

Appendix B: Accessing the Online Materials

Endnotes

Index