Teachers, how are you encouraging self-reliance and building executive functioning skills in your classroom? Share your strategies below. ⬇️

For more tips from instructional coach Peg Grafwallner, read the full article here: edut.to/49Nzpka

6/6 #EduSky

In addition to this checklist, Grafwallner also recommends using role-playing to practice requesting support meetings and assignment extensions.

“When students have the appropriate language to approach a teacher with confidence, the obstacle won’t seem so overwhelming,” she says.

5/6 #SelfAdvocacy

Grafwallner’s pro-tip: Start class with a 5-minute personal checklist 💪

This strategy gives students a visual representation of what they need to complete.

👉🏾Important bonus: this checklist also builds student agency.

4/6 #StudentLed

Executive function = the brain’s mgmt system.

When this system needs support, students (and adults!) can shut down when faced with multiple tasks at once.

This can look like:

😵💫 Overwhelm
🛑 Getting stuck instead of problem-solving
✖️ Missing opportunities to apply learning in new scenarios

3/6

Grafwallner says grades 4–8 seem to be prime time for struggling with executive function skills.

Evidence to look for:

🚩 Incomplete planners
🚩 Missing assignments
🚩 Challenges with coordinating upcoming projects

2/6

To learn how Jen and other teachers are using AI to improve student writing, listen to the fifth episode of Edutopia Radio’s School of Practice!

Listen on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4oXsXeO

Listen on Spotify: bit.ly/3LrvnEh

Her thinking on the topic is evolving. “It’s possible we need to readjust our expectations around student writing and what we’re going to allow them to do and not do. What’s considered cheating in the future might be very different from what we consider cheating now.”