Executive Functioning Skills Lessons & Activities

These lessons teach executive functioning skills including planning, organization, time management, task initiation, working memory, metacognition, self-control, attention & focus, flexible thinking, and perseverance. Each lesson includes a description of the skill, a pre-assessment, and activities to practice the skill.

Digital and Print Versions

This workbook comes with BOTH printable PDF versions and digital versions for Google Slides.

To access the digital online version, use the "Digital Directions." Click the link and choose "copy" to get your own paper-free document that students can use on computers or tablets. Text boxes have already been added to make it easier for you and your learners!

How to Use

Use these lessons to teach students about their own executive functioning strengths and challenges. As they become more self-aware, they can learn techniques to help them compensate for their challenges along the way.

These lessons can be taught in large or small groups by the regular education teacher, special education teacher, parents, or other support professional. These worksheets can also be used during advisory for middle and high school students. While all students can most assuredly benefit from learning strategies to strengthen executive functioning skills, some learners may need these skills as a critical intervention.

Why Teach Executive Functioning Skills?

Executive functioning skills are the basis for everyday skills! They include skills such as planning, organizing, initiating tasks, following through will all assignments, assignments, and persevering through problems inside and outside of school.

Many students who forget assignments, are disorganized, can’t complete long-term assignments, have trouble focusing, and experience difficulty with change often have weak executive functioning skills. These are the students who need to be taught explicit skills in order to become successful in school and in life after school. Simply put, executive functioning skills are necessary life skills.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Executive Functioning Skills

• Teaching Executive Functioning Skills

• Executive Functioning Skills I Will Learn

Planning

• Planning Poster

• Planning Self-Assessment

• Planning Overview

• Planning Your Routine

• Planning with a Goal in Mind

Organization

• Organization Poster

• Organization Self-Assessment

• Organization Overview

• Organizing Your Notebooks

• Keeping a Planner / Homework Log

Time Management

• Time Management Poster

• Time Management Self-Assessment

• Time Management Overview

• Managing Your Time

• Meeting Deadlines

• Planning for Projects

Task Initiation

• Task Initiation Poster

• Task Initiation Self-Assessment

• Task Initiation Overview

• Stop Procrastinating!

• What Should You Be Doing Right Now?

Working Memory

• Working Memory Poster

• Working Memory Self-Assessment

• Working Memory Overview

• Working Memory Strategies

• Working Memory Practice

Megacognition

• Metacognition Poster

• Metacognition Self-Assessment

• Metacognition Overview

• Metacognition Strategies

• Quality of Work

• Reflecting on Progress

Self-Control

• Self-Control Poster

• Self-Control Self-Assessment

• Self-Control Overview

• Stop, Think, Choose

• Self-Managing Behaviors

Attention & Focus

• Attention Poster

• Attention Self-Assessment

• Attention Overview

• Classroom Attention Strategies

• Dealing with Distractions

Flexibility

• Flexibility Poster

• Flexibility Self-Assessment

• Flexibility Overview

• Flexibility Problem Solving 101

• Flexibility Problem Solving 102

Perseverance

• Perseverance Poster

• Perseverance Self-Assessment

• Perseverance Overview

• Perseverance Strategies

• Practicing Perseverance

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{ Executive Functioning & Study Skills BUNDLE! }

This bundle includes a total of 132 pages targeting executive functioning and study skills necessary for academic success at the middle and high school level. The bundle includes lessons and worksheets teaching study strategies and ways to improve executive functioning skills, lessons and printables for helping students create SMART goals, and an executive functioning bulletin board with posters.

{ Executive Functioning MEGA BUNDLE }

Target executive functioning and study skills necessary for academic success at the middle and high school level. The bundle includes over 300 pages full of lessons, templates, and workbook pages to teach study strategies and ways to improve executive functioning skills. It includes ALL of my executive functioning and study skills materials in one place.

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Terms of Use:

© Pathway 2 Success. One license is for the classroom/personal use for one educator and their students. Materials may not be shared with other educators without the purchase of extra licenses. Materials may not be posted on the Internet where they can be publicly accessed. Personal and classroom use only. Please see full terms of use for more information.

Disclaimer: These resources are for supplementary support/education purposes and are not a replacement for education or other necessary supports. Educators, parents, and others who utilize these materials are encouraged to seek out additional support, as needed.