5 Executive Functioning Strategies Every K-2 Teacher Needs: How to Teach Executive Functioning
Looking for simple ways to teach executive functioning skills in your classroom? In this video, I’ll share 5 practical, research-based strategies that help elementary students strengthen organization, planning, working memory, self-control, and independent learning. These easy classroom ideas are perfect for K-2 teachers looking to support student success every day.
LINKS:
Learn more from Sarah Ward: https://www.efpractice.com/trainings
Digital Working Clock: https://www.online-stopwatch.com/large-online-clock/ (just highlight with SmartBoard marker)
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Susan Jones
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18 Comments
Excellent!!! Thank you for sharing! Very helpful and validating. Funny how I use many of these strategies, but didn’t know they were “executive functioning” strategies. Nice to be able to name and categorize them. I just called it smart teaching. 😉
❤❤ Thank you
Great tips! I took notes while watching. 🙏
Very helpful! Thank you so much for sharing!
Would you do the first one on your daily message or orally?
How do you store your materials and slides for the following years? I am starting a new school and want to plan and save so the following year I already have everything planned.
I have been learning so much about Executive Functioning. There is a book recommendation, but I wanted to see if you have heard of it and if it is worth purchasing. It is called "Executive Skills and Writing Instruction: Developing Self-regulated, Thinking Writers" by Leslie E.Laud. I would love your input on this! I look forward to your response.Thanks:)
Thank you for posting this video and sharing these amazing ideas! I am definitely going to apply them this year to help my students.
Thank you! This is just what I needed to help all students with transitions and independence in second grade.
Thanks for such enriching information. I follow you from Guatemala.
This was great! Thanks so much!
I would have loved attending this PD – thank you so much for sharing! Would you consider sharing your template you made for the shark craft? I'd love to use it as a template in my daily slides. It would also be amazing if it was one of your new products. You could make a few samples (just a suggestion!)
This was amazing! Thank you so much for sharing what you learned.
I like the idea of the timer clock. Is there a video to explain how to set those up with the highlighted part and the check in marker? Thanks
Thank you – you are awesome!
Love the “Get Ready…Do…Done”!
Love the Get Ready/Do/Done visual support. When it comes to crafts/projects, I usually hand out their first piece and put the rest of the pieces on my small group table in the order they need to complete the project. Once they finish their first piece/step, they can independently go get the next one and only the next one. Since students finish cutting and gluing at different paces, there’s never a gaggle at the table. I also have scrap bins on their desks so there’s not constant traffic to the recycle bin or papers building up on desks. Works beautifully and is less stress for everyone!
LOVE THIS!
• 1. Make Mistakes in Morning Meeting (4:54 – 6:43): Intentionally make errors during your morning greeting (e.g., wrong day or incorrect special). This encourages students to "read the room" and tune into their situational awareness.
• 2. Point Out the Plan & Use a Spotlight (6:46 – 9:46): Before transitions, have students physically point to the steps of a task to create a visual rehearsal. You can also use a flashlight to "spotlight" key areas in the room, making destinations clear for students.
• 3. Mime It (9:48 – 12:48): Have students walk through the motions of a task (like gathering materials or transitioning) to visualize themselves within the space and identify their emotional state regarding the activity.
• 4. The Working Clock (12:50 – 19:12): Use an analog clock with a marker to shade the duration of a task. This helps students visualize the volume of time rather than just watching a countdown. Including a midpoint check-in helps them self-regulate their progress.
• 5. Make Planning Visible (19:14 – 23:13): Implement a "Get Ready, Do, Done" sheet. By displaying a photo of the completed project (Done) and working backward to identify necessary materials (Get Ready) and steps (Do), students take ownership of their own planning.
Bonus Tip:
• Job Talk (23:42 – 26:03): Assign specific roles with titles (e.g., "Lucky Listener," "Dice Roller") during group work. Using these labels fosters student ownership and helps them stay focused on their specific contributions to the group.
Thank you 🙏 my kids are asleep and I get to learn so I can parent/teach better. Gratitude ❤