Improving working memory in middle school students isn’t just about remembering facts—it’s about helping students learn how to learn. As educators, we often notice puzzling behaviors: a student can’t recall multiplication facts, another drifts off mid-task, while another seems constantly distracted by everything happening around them. While these behaviors may seem like unrelated challenges, they […]

Taking initiative is a foundational executive function skill that can transform a student’s academic experience. For high school teachers, fostering this skill through thoughtful conversation and structured executive function instruction is one of the most powerful ways to improve student performance, reduce procrastination, and increase student engagement. When students learn to take initiative, they build […]

Incorporating journaling for self-awareness into your classroom is one of the most effective student engagement strategies you can use to teach the executive function skill of self-monitoring. In fact, journaling for self-awareness not only improves student confidence and academic performance but also strengthens students’ self-control, emotional control, and ability to evaluate their own actions—key aspects […]

If you’re looking for ways to improve working memory in your elementary classroom, one of the most powerful and accessible strategies is encouraging student talk. Executive function instruction isn’t just about teaching strategies—it’s about giving students the tools and confidence to think about their own thinking. When students discuss their experiences, reflect on their attention […]