05 Jul Teaching Executive Functioning to High School Students
Cornerstone Protection
836 Euclid Avenue Suite 16, Lexington
-
Amazing assistance provided by Shannon today on my security system. I’m so grateful for your prompt, efficient, professional, and courteous service. Put me down as a customer for life!
-
One of the most painless experiences I've had. They came on time and was over the moon professional with still keeping a level of personability to it. The gentleman also went out of his way to say that my husband and Mines business … More was appreciated. Which is actually rare to be appreciated by such a great company. So thank you and we look forward to continuing services with this company.
-
I am so happy we decided to go with cornerstone. They were quick and efficient. Shannon and the installer we very friendly. We got a lot of equipment and it was still within our budget. 10/10 would definitely recommend! Thank you
-
Love the customer service and Shanon and his team go above and beyond for my restaurant. Couldn't of asked for a better security system and level of service that his team provides.
-
I have been using Cornerstone Protection service for over 5 years and I'm really happy with the service and state-of-the-art equipments and it's futures are so much in advance and friendly, I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection … More Service any and all business that need a security protection days and nights specially after business hours(Cornerstone Protection is perfect solution for your business). Owner of Cornerstone Protection is proactive with their customers and their equipments. Good experienced with Cornerstone Protection!!!
Kanu Patel -
We had a very positive experience with Alissa as a tutor for our pod of 5th grade boys from January - June 2020. She cared a lot about the boys and worked hard to create meaningful activities for them. The pod experience was invaluable … More for all of our families during a difficult year and we were so grateful to have found this partnership! We also want to appreciate Craig for helping to match us with a tutor on very short notice after we had cycled through a few folks who were not able to see the commitment through. Thanks for sticking with us!
-
Dusty was the exact person we needed to help our child finish out the school year. So grateful to him for the way he steadily encouraged her and helped her stay on track and organized. He is flexible, responsive to our needs/schedule as … More a family, and a delight to be with. We are also thankful that Craig at Themba Tutors really "gets it" and partnered us with such a wonderful tutor who was a great fit for our girl.
-
My child worked with Gillian D virtually for math enrichment. She is an excellent teacher. She took time to understand my child's specific learning style and provided tools that would be engaging. She was kind and empathetic- really … More made it her goal to connect with my child and build trust and rapport. My child started the school year with confidence and without the typically "brain-drain" that occurs over the summer, thanks to Gillian.
-
I am going into my second year as a Themba tutor. I have met so many great individuals while working for this company. Craig and the rest of the Themba team do such an excellent job picking and choosing Themba tutors that suit each client's … More individual needs! I look forward to meeting new tutors and clients in the 2021-2022 school year!
-
Our son started in a new high school, 100% remote, and was really struggling with Latin and Physics. I found Themba Tudors online and had an initial call with Craig, who was very knowledgeable, responsive, and found 2 amazing tutors for … More us. Both the Latin and the physics tutors were fantastic, connected with my son really well and helped him go from 'failing' grade to 'honors'! I will for sure continue using (and recommending!) Themba Tutors. Thank you, C, K, and W!
-
Brian is a fantastic executive functioning coach. Super helpful, flexible with hours, and tailored the experience to our needs.
-
Giulia Mercuri is a great Italian tutor! She was very responsive and accessible. Giulia put a ton of effort into preparing for each session and really helped our son with test preparation and projects. We are grateful that she was able … More to help, especially since our son did not receive any live teaching during COVID. We are happy that she was referred to us! -
As an adult student diagnosed with a learning disability during grad school, I knew I needed help dealing with my Master's program's demanding workload. I was seriously considering dropping out when I was referred to Themba Tutors. … More I was paired up with a wonderful tutor, Julie, who was a total lifesaver. I learned many techniques that I can utilize in the future as I embark on the next phase of my career.
I can wholeheartedly say after working with Themba for two years that I would not have finished my program without this organization. And I am so thankful I selected them. -
We were introduced to a wonderful tutor: Mcedwyn. He and our son, a freshman in college, worked well together. As a result, our son’s grades significantly improved. The tutor taught our son subject content and various methods to effectively … More study for quizzes and exams. Our son was also taught time management and organization. My son’s experience with the tutor made the first year of college a less intimidating experience. -
We have been with our tutor, Cailin Schiller, for two years, from 5th - 7th grade. She started as an executive functioning tutor with my daughter. From the start, she demonstrated a depth of expertise and a selective use of techniques skillfully … More adapted to my daughter’s ADHD and Math disability. Cailin made Math accessible and understandable to her in a way that even her teachers had not been able to do. She differentiated reading, writing and math tasks and assignments to tailor them to my daughter’s unique learning differences. Not only did it have an effect on her grades and her work efficiency, but she finally could do her work with less anxiety. Even my daughter’s teachers used Cailin’s guidance to modify their work with her. But most importantly, she became my daughter’s favorite resource. I can’t say how invaluable Cailin has been to my daughter’s progress and well-being. I’d recommend her a million times over. She is a gem. -
Victoria is a superb tutor. She helped my high school age daughter with her writing. Victoria's skills as a tutor, as well as her sense of humor and her engaging personality went a long way with my daughter. -
Themba Tutors provided a leaning specialist that was a perfect fit for my daughter. I told them what we were looking for and they delivered. Our tutor is responsive and flexible and makes it easy for my daughter to reach out to her own … More her own, which gives her an added sense of responsibility over her learning. As a therapist myself, I now regularly recommend Themba to my patients. A much needed and well provided service to the community!! -
The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them! -
I'm so glad we were referred to Themba Tutors. After a great initial conversation to learn our needs, we were connected with an excellent tutor, Felicia, who is helping our high school daughter learn better organizational and executive … More skills. Highly recommended. -
We had a wonderful experience with our tutor Micaela. She helped our son not only academically but at every level. We will be forever grateful to have her in our lives. -
The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
-
Paul Smith at Themba has been an exceptional tutor for my son, both in terms of teaching the subject matter and teaching how best to approach the process of learning math and executing assignments. We feel very fortunate to be working with … More Paul. -
We were very lucky to have found Edwouine Swift, my son's therapist through Themba Tutors. Thomas is 12 years old, and it is extremely difficult to get him to write. Edwouine just works her magic with him, he adores her and is so … More eager to follow her guidance. I have no doubt she will be a positive driving force in his academic future.
TEACHING EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Strategies for Teaching Executive Functioning to High School Students
You’ve been wondering how to teach your high school students executive functioning skills for a good reason. These skills, like planning, organizing, and decision-making, will serve them well in life beyond the classroom. The good news is there are concrete strategies you can implement to help strengthen their executive functioning, even at this stage in their development. It may take practice and patience, but helping them build these skills now will set them up for success in college and careers. In this article, we’ll explore some practical ways to teach executive functioning to your high school students so they can thrive both now and in the future.
Identifying Key Executive Functioning Skills for High School Students
Focus on key skills to help your high school students strengthen their executive functioning.
- Planning and organization. Help them break down big assignments into manageable steps and determine what needs to be done. Teach planning strategies like creating to-do lists, schedules, and timelines. Show them how to organize their materials, notes, and workspace efficiently.
- Task initiation. Students need to learn how to start tasks on time, even if they don’t feel like it. Encourage them to dive in right away instead of procrastinating. Give them opportunities to practice starting tasks on their own. Offer guidance and check-ins to help build their confidence.
- Time management. Help students estimate how long tasks will take, prioritize important activities, and minimize distractions. Have them track how they spend their time to identify opportunities for improvement. Teach them strategies like using a schedule or timer to keep themselves on track.
- Working memory. Give students opportunities to practice memorizing and manipulating information. Play memory games, have them take notes without looking at the source material, and teach mnemonic devices like acronyms to help retain lists and sequences.
Here are some examples of executive functioning skills for grades 9-12:
- Create and carry out strategic plans to reach objectives or complete tasks, such as finishing and submitting complex assignments.
- Consider potential outcomes and implications while making decisions, especially those connected to assignment completion and submission.
- Constructively and adaptively manage and respond to emotional experiences.
- Using advanced time management and organizational abilities, demonstrate consistency and dependability in completing and submitting assignments on time.
- Demonstrate self-advocacy abilities, effectively communicating personal needs, negotiating solutions in complicated situations, and seeking assistance when necessary.
- Begin learning about potential professional and occupational paths, employing executive function skills to investigate, plan, and create personal career objectives.
- Demonstrate efficient inhibition of distracting technology use by prioritizing academic tasks and managing potential digital distractions.
With regular practice and reinforcement of these skills, your students will strengthen their executive functioning and develop skills that will benefit them beyond high school. Success in school, work, and life depends on the ability to plan, organize, start and complete tasks, manage time, and memorize important details. Focusing on these strategies will set your students up for a productive future.
Teaching Task Initiation and Time Management
Learning time management and how to get started on tasks are crucial skills for success in high school and beyond. Here are some tips to help teach your students:
- Help them break down big assignments into smaller steps. This makes the tasks seem more achievable and less overwhelming. For a paper, start with an outline, then do research, and write the intro, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Checking off each part builds momentum and confidence.
- Show them how to estimate the time required for each step. Have them map out deadlines for each milestone to keep them on schedule. Building in extra buffer days is also smart in case anything comes up.
- Demonstrate planning their schedule and to-do lists. Get them to review all their obligations for the week ahead on Sunday night and prioritize important work. Show them how to block off time each day dedicated to working on long-term projects.
- Encourage starting work, even if they don’t feel like it. The hardest part is often just diving in, so urge them to do 15-30 minutes to build up steam. They’ll usually end up working longer once they’ve begun.
- Set timers to make work periods feel more manageable. Start with 25-50 minutes of focused work, then take 5-10 minute breaks. This technique helps avoid burnout and keeps them motivated.
By developing good organizational and time management skills now, your students will reap the benefits for years. These essential habits will become second nature with your regular practice and support.
Promoting Flexibility and Problem-Solving
To help high school students strengthen their executive functioning skills, focus on building flexibility and problem-solving abilities.
Teach Adaptability
- Explain that plans often change unexpectedly, and we need to adapt. Share examples of situations where flexibility was key.
- Provide opportunities for students to pivot in low-risk ways, like switching partners or seating arrangements during class. Discuss how they adapted.
- Praise students when they handle changes well. Say something like, “I appreciate your willingness to try a different approach.” This positive reinforcement will strengthen their adaptability.
Promote Problem-Solving
- Present students with open-ended problems to solve, with no single “right” answer. For example, ask them how they would improve school culture or reduce environmental impact.
- Encourage students to think through problems out loud, so you can prompt their thinking with questions. Help them evaluate options objectively and consider consequences.
- Set up group problem-solving, where students work together towards a solution. Discuss how different perspectives and collaboration enhanced their effort.
- Share examples of famous people who overcame obstacles through determination and ingenuity. Discuss the problem-solving strategies they employed.
With regular practice, students can master the art of thinking on their feet and navigating challenges. Helping them build these skills in the supportive environment of high school will set them up for success in work and life after graduation. Stay patient through their struggles, offer guidance, and celebrate their wins, no matter how small. Developing a solid executive functioning skill takes practice, time, and experience.
Conclusion
Now that you know highly effective strategies to help your high school students strengthen those all-important executive functioning skills. Start small, focus on one area at a time, and provide lots of opportunities for guided practice. Be sure to give constructive feedback and help them set concrete goals to achieve mastery.
Patience is key here, as these skills take time and repetition to develop. But with your support and encouragement, your students will get there. Before you know it, they’ll be planning, organizing, problem-solving, and managing their time like pros. And when they head off to college or careers after graduation, they’ll thank you for giving them the tools they need to succeed.
The following two tabs change content below.
Craig Selinger
Owner at Themba Tutors
Meet Craig Selinger, the passionate owner behind Themba Tutors, a renowned practice specializing in executive function coaching and tutoring. Together with his team of multidisciplinary professionals, they bring their extensive knowledge to numerous locations: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as offering remote services. As a licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of NY, executive functioning coach, and educational specialist with an impressive track record spanning over two decades, Craig has professionally assisted thousands of families. Craig's proficiency encompasses a wide spectrum of areas, including language-related learning challenges such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening. He is also well-versed in executive functioning, ADHD/ADD, and various learning disabilities. What truly distinguishes Craig and his team is their unwavering commitment to delivering comprehensive support. By actively collaborating with the most esteemed professionals within the NYC metropolitan region – from neuropsychologists to mental health therapists and allied health experts – they create a network of expertise.
Latest posts by Craig Selinger (see all)
- Your Guide To Success With A Professional MCAT Tutor - September 22, 2023
- Williamsburg, Brooklyn Middle School Math Tutors! - September 22, 2023
- Greenpoint, Brooklyn Middle School Math Tutor - September 21, 2023
No Comments