How to teach EF skills in the classroom (April 19, 2024)
- Sean McCormick
- Apr 18, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Want to share a product or service with over 6,000 parents and educators interested in executive functioning?
There is a secret shared by expert teachers that gives them purpose and clarity, while also fostering executive function skills in the classroom💎
It’s something many new teachers don’t learn in time and end up leaving the profession in their first five years because they are doing all the heavy lifting. 😢
I’ve shared it in the video below, or you can keep reading to discover more.
The secret to staying engaged and motivated as a teacher
Happy teachers spend LITTLE time actually teaching.
They spend MOST of their time facilitating learning.
Here are three ways their classroom looks different.
One: All students have clear roles
Students have actual jobs in their classes like:
Paper collector
Greeter,
Board eraser
Or whatever things occur on a daily basis that can be delgated.
These teachers are master delegators and students feel empowered by a role that actually contributes value to the functioning of the classroom.
Two: Students learn the art and science of self-monitoring
Students know how to self-monitor their progress in these classes. The syllabus is not just something that is discarded after the first day of class. It is a living checklist that students use to self-monitor their way toward the completion of the class expectations.
Students are rewarded with increasing levels of independence as they move through the class expectations, not just given more busy work, then left feeling like hard work leads to being punished.
Three: There are opportunities to have fun in the classroom
Teachers who get the most out of their students prioritize energizing activities in their classroom such as game time, skits, and other things that allow students to express themselves.
Kids avoid school when they can’t bring their whole selves to class, but when they are invited to participate through joyful activities they are more likely to return day in and day out, even when things feel hard.
Summary
If you are a teacher feeling burnt out or overwhelmed by your work, consider this…
Sometimes less teaching means more learning.
Let your kiddos do the heavy lifting while you guide them toward the destination – just make sure that the destination is clear.
Hope this helps 🤙🏻
P.S. If you want to work on executive function skills with your students, consider joining hundreds of other educators and parents who have completed my Semester Success Blueprint Course. In less than 2 hours, this comprehensive course will teach you and your student the system I developed to help hundreds of students learn how to manage school effectively and raise their self-awareness and engagement with school.
About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and growing my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.
Want me to speak on executive function skills at your event? Learn more about my speaking topics here.