Helping Middle School Students Practice Planning: Executive Function Strategies for the Classroom

Posted In Application On February 20, 2025

Planning is a crucial executive function skill that helps students manage their time, set goals, and develop strategies for success. When middle school students practice planning, they improve their ability to organize tasks, complete assignments on time, and build confidence in their abilities. As educators, we can integrate executive function instruction into our classrooms to support students in strengthening their planning skills. Below are five engaging student strategies to help students develop this essential executive function skill.

1. Practice Planning with Supplies

One of the first steps to successful planning is having the right tools. Instruct students to make a list of planner supplies that will help them manage their schedule effectively. Encourage them to think about items such as highlighters, sticky notes, colored pens, or digital planning apps. Next, have students create a to-do list outlining how they will acquire these supplies by an agreed-upon date. This activity not only supports student engagement strategies but also fosters task initiation and organizational skills, which are key components of executive function learning.

2. Reflection on Assignment Completion

A vital aspect of planning is evaluating whether enough time was allocated for a task. After completing an upcoming class assignment, ask students to reflect on their time management. Did they give themselves enough time to complete the work? Were they able to finish on schedule? Encourage students to consider what they learned and how they can adjust their planning strategies for future assignments. This self-reflection helps students build self-awareness and improve academic performance through better planning habits.

3. Practice Planning by Learning from Others

An effective way for students to understand the importance of planning is by learning from others. Have students interview someone they know about a long-term goal they accomplished. Instruct the students to ask about the importance of the goal, the emotions that were felt upon achieving it, and the steps they took to reach it. Then, ask students to set a long-term goal and reflect on how achieving their own goals could impact their future. This method of planning practice supports student confidence by building and demonstrating the value of persistence and strategic planning.

4. Evaluating Daily Habits

Habits play a significant role in a student’s ability to plan and manage their responsibilities. Have students document at least 12 daily habits and categorize them as helpful, neutral, or potentially detrimental to their success. Encourage students to consider whether they should replace any ineffective habits with more productive ones that could improve their planning skills. This exercise promotes metacognition and problem-solving, two critical aspects of teaching executive function skills.

5. Understanding Time Management

A common challenge for students is accurately estimating how long tasks will take. Ask students to estimate the amount of time needed to complete 8-10 daily activities, then record their actual time over several days. Have them compare their estimates with the real data to determine whether they tend to overestimate or underestimate task durations. This activity supports executive function instruction by improving students’ time-awareness and planning accuracy, ultimately enhancing their academic performance.

The Importance of Teaching Executive Function Skills

By integrating these activities into your classroom, you are helping students develop essential executive function strategies that improve their ability to plan, manage time, and stay organized. Effective executive function instruction empowers students to take control of their learning process, enhancing their social skills and overall academic performance.

If you’re interested in more ways to help students practice planning, check out our blog posts for grades 1-4 and grades 9-12.

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For comprehensive executive function lessons designed to improve students’ academic performance, explore Cerebrate’s executive function curriculum.