The one thing I didn't really learn in Teacher Prep classes was the importance of Executive Function skills in learning. I've seen the number of skills range from three to twelve, but here are the ones I think are the most important to focus on:
- Organization
- Flexibility
- Time Management
- Self-Monitoring
When we moved to remote learning in March, I knew my students were going to need some help. They were thrust into a new style of learning that no one prepared them for, and not every student had a parent who could monitor them during their learning time at home. So I created short lessons that taught them the basic executive function skills needed to suceed with learning at home.
My first lesson was on organization, because it was important for students to establish a place of their own right away as their "work space." The lesson plan I provide here is roughly 30 minutes long, but can be adapted into a 10-minute mini lesson or take up an entire class period.
The Lesson Plan
The lesson opens with the ubiquitous cat meme. This cat is struggling to find something in a file cabinet (or trying to get out of it - either way that filing system is a problem). The image tells the story of the bad day this kitten is about to have because it can't find what it's looking for.
Memes are an excellent way to connect teenagers with learning. I can't make memes (I apparently am not 'cool' enough) so I scour the internet for memes that match my lessons. If you find a different meme that encompasses the idea of organization, by all means use yours.But whatever image you use, it should be able to start a conversation: "Ever found yourself in this cat's shoes - er - paws?" "How do you feel when you can't find something you need?" I like to have an open conversation with the whole class just talking for at least three to four minutes. This loosens them up for the REAL discussion.
"It sounds like we've all been where this poor cat is at the moment. It would be pretty helpful if this cat were more organized. What does 'Organization' mean?"
Here is where you start recording their answers, either on a board or on a shared computer screen. If students get quiet, ask follow-up questions like, "What do you think this cat needs to do so it can find that important file next time?" Once you have a good list of words and phrases that describe organization, ask students to think about their own organizational skills and see if they do any of the descriptions as a way to be organized.
Want to keep going?
If you only have a little time to devote to this lesson, you could stop here and go straight to the assignment. They should have a basic understanding of what organization looks like to create their "work space." But if you want to continue, start with the learning targets: Define organization, Identify organizational criteria and tools, and Incorporate the organizational criteria and tools into their own practice.Let them know they already addressed the first learning target, and you are going to move on to the next two.
To go places and do things that have never been done before – that’s what living is all about.
The core lesson comes with an editable powerpoint slide (template courtesy of SlideGo) and I've included a video that goes through he entire slideshow. There is also a link to a 2-minute video about where to make a good work space at home and what supplies or tools you need to be organized. This could be used in place of the slides.
Standards and Assessments
The school district I work for also includes Social-Emotional Learning in their curriculum. This lesson covers the CASEL framework section, "Responsible Decision-Making," which are the abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations. Mastering the skill of organization helps them make personal decisions that create an efficient learning environment.
Following the Common Core, the assessments included with this lesson can be used to assess these standards:
- CCSS SL.9-10.1: Students who initiate or participate in the discussion at the beginning of the lesson will show their understanding of the topic and how clearly they express their own ideas and build upon others' ideas.
- CCSS SL.9-10.4: As students list their ideas of what organization means, they should be able to support their definitions if asked to in a logical and thoughtful way.
- CCSS W.9-10.2: When students complete their "work space" assignment, their paragraph should clearly explain where they would set up their space and why it is the best location for them, and also explain what tools they would need to be successful learners and why.
If you find this lesson plan useful, I create tailor-made lessons for the other three executive function skills. Contact me for more information on how I can provide other meaningful lesson plans for you and your students.
Placeholder text by Space Ipsum. Photographs by NASA on The Commons.