Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Grades 3-12: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning Environments

Every educator wants to know: What has the greatest impact on student success? The answer: executive function skills. They are crucial for students′ academic success and personal growth, yet many of our students lack the skills required to engage in learning, such as organization, planning, time management, and self-regulation. This book shows how educators can create a more engaging and effective learning experience while addressing the epidemic of disengagement and executive dysfunction. With practical guidance to make the skills "stick" for students, this vital resource also provides/p> The three keys to teaching executive functions: Clarity, Modeling, and Routine An explanation of the specific executive functioning skills essential for student success Strategies for students to practice executive functions within the context of what they are learning Practical guidance for establishing a consistent and safe learning environment Guidance on how to expose all students to this universal MTSS/RTI Tier 1 intervention Educators can empower students to take more risks, improve their academic performance, and prepare them for the future with the help of this innovative resource.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Lost in the Wilderness Navigating With Executive Functioning Skills The Two Challenges With Teaching Executive Functions Why Predictable Learning Routines? Three Keys to Teaching Executive Functions Chapter 1. Executive Dysfunction and Disengagement Struggling With "Studentness" We Can′t Afford Executive Dysfunction Any Longer Chapter 1 Reflection Questions Chapter 2. Teaching Executive Functions What are Executive Functioning Skills? The Benefits Clarity, Routine, & Modeling Self-Regulation Through a Daily Routine Conclusion Chapter 2 Reflection Questions Chapter 3. Working Memory: Beginning Routine Designing a Beginning Routine Why the Old Beginning Routine Doesn′t Work Strategies to Make Your Beginning Routine Better Beginning Routine Example Adjustments and Considerations Self-Regulation Through the Beginning Routine Conclusion Chapter 3 Reflection Questions Chapter 4. Working Memory: The Concluding Routine How to Receive Authentic Feedback Designing Your Concluding Routine Why the Old Concluding Routine Doesn′t Work Strategies to Make Your Concluding Routine Better Concluding Routine Example Adjustments and Considerations I Dare You to Try It Self-Regulation Through the Concluding Routine Conclusion Chapter 4 Reflection Questions Chapter 5. Time & Task Management: The Agenda Developing Time & Task Management Skills Why the Old Agenda Doesn’t Work Strategies to Make Your Agenda Better Agenda Template Adjustments and Considerations Self-Regulation Through Agendas Conclusion Chapter 5 Reflection Questions Chapter 6. Organization: Tables of Contents and Academic Toolkits What is a Table of Contents? Why the Old Table of Contents Doesn’t Work Strategies to Make Your Table of Contents Better Table of Contents Example Adjustments and Considerations Academic Toolkits Academic Toolkit Example Self-Regulation Through Tables of Contents and Academic Toolkits Conclusion Chapter 6 Reflection Questions Chapter 7. Accountability: Portfolio Checks Accountability Starts With Expectations Accountability Through Portfolio Checks Designing Your Portfolio Check Portfolio Check Example Adjustments and Considerations Self-Regulation Through Portfolio Checks Conclusion Chapter 7 Reflection Questions Chapter 8. Goal Setting Why the Old Goal Setting Doesn’t Work Strategies to Make Goal Setting Better Goal Setting Example Adjustments and Considerations Self-Regulation Through Goal-Setting Conclusion Chapter 8 Reflection Questions Chapter 9. Conclusion Self-Regulation Self-Efficacy and Internal Motivation Tenacity (Formerly Known as Grit) Executive Functions as Transferable Skills Content Area Gains Family Engagement Signing Off Appendix: Effect Size Glossary References

About the Author :
Mitch Weathers is a teacher and founder of Organized Binder, Inc. Together with the Organized Binder team, Mitch works with K-12 schools and colleges in the US and internationally to equip students with executive functioning skills. When he is not working with schools, you can find him running trails training for his next ultramarathon. He and his wife live in Northern California with their two daughters.  

Review :
"Classroom teachers know they are teaching content and do it well. Yet more importantly, they are teaching their students how to learn and that takes executive functioning. Weathers’ book provides research-backed, immediately applicable strategies to support the development of executive functioning in one’s classroom. It’s beyond helpful, whether you finish feeling validated, get good reminders, or new learning. It’s worth the read." "I’m not exaggerating when I say that this is a must read for every single teacher on the planet! Weathers provides actionable, yet realistic steps, for teachers to take to consistently create more predictable learning spaces for all students. This work has a profound impact on all students, but chaos navigators, in particular, benefit. Chaos Navigators are our young people who are giving everything they have just to survive the lack of predictability they experience every movement outside of school. When teachers commit to the strategies outlined in this book they create havens for students, moments in their day that are safer, and that makes all the difference. Our chaos navigators are more likely to lean into their education and take the risks inherent to learning if they are in classrooms like those described in this book. Thank you for this absolute gift, Mitch!" "In Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Mitch Weathers makes the case for universal classroom routines that free up students′ mental bandwidth to focus on learning. Rather than struggle through the day trying to navigate different expectations in every classroom, students can rely on predictable structures for starting and ending every class, organizing their work, and keeping track of their progress.  Today′s students are struggling with motivation and self-discipline. Ignoring fads and hype, this book outlines simple processes every school can put in place to get students to believe in themselves and develop the habits they′ll need for success in school and in life. Executive Functions for Every Classroom will become an instant classic and will transform the learning and trajectory of generations of students."  "This book is a masterclass on how to create a predictable learning routine that guarantees your students′ success. Mitch is my go-to executive functions expert and he′s shared what works with you here." "This text would be an outstanding start for a staff-wide book study. Systemic change geared towards altering a school culture where every student is empowered to succeed is the goal of this book. It all begins with a caring teacher providing students tools that promote executive function skills." "Full of simple, doable actions and clear, engaging examples to bring ideas to life, this book is an essential friend to bring clarity and organisation into your classroom." "Executive functions are the invisible gears that we all need to be successful. When we neglect to teach them explicitly and with modeling, our students suffer in disengagement and inequity. This book is the essential guide for teachers hoping to make learning more equitable, engaging, and enlightening!"  "After reading Mitch′s book, I’m a big fan. As I was reading, the thought that kept occurring to me was man, if everyone did this, so many kids would do so much better in school, and they’d enjoy it more too!" "We often hear about goals to foster students who are lifelong learners and Weathers has outlined a systematic, logical, and easy to implement structure for maximizing students′ executive function. His Daily Routine teaches students how to be organized, avoids overtaxing on their cognitive loads and reduces the time and effort required for teachers to plan. Every educator who wants their students to be actively engaged in the process of learning, focus their attention on academic goals, and have the skills to be successful should read Executive Functions for Every Classroom." "Mitch’s book is the perfect combination of school-site anecdotes, research-based practices, and personal reflections. As an author of time management books for teachers (and the mom of four kids myself!), I was quite literally riveted learning about the differences between agendas and planners, and I found myself reconsidering some of my former teaching routines. This text is a valuable resource of ideas, activities and templates you can put into practice the very next day." "Executive Functioning has been shown to be one of the characteristics that helps young people grow into great leaders, and this world needs more effective leaders in every arena. Through clear language, and powerful stories, Mitch shares strategies and simple solutions to help teach this critical skill in every classroom."  "I LOVED this book. Every teacher, including adult educators, should be able to use or adapt practices in their learning environment by using this book. Learn what executive function is, how executive dysfunction impacts learners, and, most importantly, how to design routines to ensure all learners have the tools to be focused, organized, and purposeful. All the strategies are supported by research, and the evidence-based practices that Mitch outlines seem totally within reach. What a fantastic read!"  "In Executive Functions for Every Classroom, Mitch Weathers brilliantly breaks down what executive functions are, why they are critical to our students′ success, and how to teach them in any setting. With this book, our students will achieve in school, and in life. There is wisdom on every page!" "Executive Function for Every Student by Mitch Weathers is an indispensable and powerful guide that addresses the critical issue of disengagement and dysfunction in students and offers practical solutions to foster self-regulation and academic success. Weathers systematically breaks down the challenges students face each day, while providing insightful strategies, real-life examples, and actionable advice to help educators and parents empower students with essential executive functioning skills. With a deep understanding of the hurdles students encounter and a wealth of resources for improvement, this book equips readers with the tools necessary to cultivate executive functions in students, ultimately transforming their educational experience and setting them on a path to outstanding achievement." "Written with empathy for both teachers and students, this book is a must-read for all educators! Practical strategies based on solid research equip teachers with exactly what they need to help students boost their executive functioning, perhaps the most important life skill today."  "We′ve needed a book like this for a long time. If students are without executive functioning skills, almost nothing else that we do matters. I recommend that this book becomes a prerequisite in every teacher and school leader prep program available."