The Executive Function Guidebook. Roberta Strosnider

Chapter 6 for more details about prewriting.

       Teacher Testimonial from: Elisabeth Halici

      Grade: Elementary and Middle School

      Executive Function Addressed: Working Memory

       Strategy Name: Desktop Photo Strategy

      Strategy Designed for: Whole Class or Individual

      Elisabeth Halici

      Each student has a picture on his or her desk of how the desk should look when class ends. Other uses of photos include pictures of visuals that are no longer needed by the class as a whole, pictures of the homework assignment from the board, or pictures of steps or algorithms needed to complete tasks.

      IMAGE 2.2 Sample Concrete External Storage System

      Task Analysis

      Task Analysis, in this situation, is the process of analyzing and implementing the steps needed to successfully complete a goal. When analyzing a task, it is important to consider the student’s developmental and working memory levels.

      For example, your students may find a task analysis for completing the morning routine helpful. A classroom routine for a middle schooler broken into individual tasks may include

       entering the classroom and taking your assigned seat;

       taking your class notebook or folder, pencil or pen, and text out of your backpack;

       placing your backpack on the back of your chair;

       reading the objectives for the class;

       completing the class warm-up or drill in your notebook; and

       sitting quietly and waiting for further instructions from your teacher.

      Visual Schedules

      Visual Schedules with reminders are another simple and effective visual aid.

      FIGURE 2.8 Visual Schedule Example

      Visual-Kinesthetic Strategies—What I See and Do

      For students who learn best by seeing and doing, Meltzer (2010) includes the Human Number Line Strategy. In this strategy, students walk forward for addition and backward for subtraction. It can be as simple as 2 + 2 or as complex as reversing because of parentheses in a problem such as 2 + (-2).

      Visual and Auditory Memory Strategy

      Concentration Games

      The use of concentration games gives students an opportunity to strengthen their working memory. Games can be constructed around any information students need to remember. In addition to traditional memory match card games, many concentration games are available as apps, including Memory Matches and Find the Pair Memory Matching Cards.

      Visual Sequential Memory Strategy

      Chunking

      The process of chunking information during instructional delivery helps the student to connect to the material. When learning a long list of sequential pictured items, it is helpful to chunk the list into sections appropriate for the student. For example, you may want to start with three pictures at a time and progress to as many as seven at a time. The iMimic App is a good source of technology to reinforce visual sequential memory.

      Auditory Sequential Memory Strategy

      Like in visual sequential chunking the process of chunking information during instructional delivery helps the student to connect to the material. When learning a long list of spoken items, it is best to initially state three items to the student, gradually increasing the amount of stated items to seven. The Simon App