Back to School: Planning, Time Management and Organization Instruction

Many teachers can not fathom how apparently simple tasks, such as using an agenda or turning in an assignment, can be very difficult for some of their students. In fact, many students need comprehensive instruction and scaffolding to learn to plan, manage time, and organize. 

What are Executive Functions?

Executive functions are the cognitive tools that enable us to plan, organize, and manage time.  Although executive functions are one of the first cognitive processing areas to begin development, they are also the last part of the brain to fully develop.  In actuality, it does not reach maturation until students reach their early 20s.

How Hard Can it Really Be to Plan, Manage Time, and Organize?

I have to admit, when I first started working with students who struggled with executive functioning, I was surprised by how challenging planning, time management, and organization could be for some of my young, bright learners. What seemed to be clear was obscure, taxing, and problematic for them.

These Students are Often Misunderstood:

Instead of compassion and strategies, students who have difficulties with executive functioning are often intimidated, harassed, and mishandled with discipline and inconsistent methods that result in poor grades.

Many of these students are continually told that they are lazy, unmotivated, and careless, and this often results in feelings of frustration, anger, and even helplessness. Acquiring accommodations for students who struggle with executive functioning difficulties is rare, and now, with technology at our fingertips, each teacher seems to have their own way of communicating and collecting assignments.

As a result, this population of learners seems to be under additional pressure due to the lack of a cohesive structure across classes and their need for consistency.

So what are the Signs that a Student has Executive Functioning Deficits?

They often:

1. lose materials.
2. forget to turn in assignments.
3. leave things to the last minute.
4. miscalculate or underestimate the amount of time it will take to complete a task.
5. fail to record homework in an agenda or planner.
6. leave needed materials at school.
7. leave needed materials at home.
8. fail to prepare for tests.
9. fail to plan and break down long-term assignments into manageable tasks or goals.
10. neglect to plan for midterms or finals.
11. forget details.
12. lose focus and miss important notes or directions.
13. lose mental stamina and fail to complete a task.
14. misplace important materials.
15. rush through work.

So, What Can Be Done to Assist these Students?

1. Create a structured daily routine.
2. Set priorities.
3. Generate a homework plan.
4. Break large assignments into manageable chunks.
5. Make to-do checklists.
6. Teach study skills.
7. Illustrate note-taking skills.
8. Demonstrate time management skills by breaking large assignments into manageable chunks with numerous deadlines.
9. Teach test-taking strategies.
10. Demonstrate memory strategies.
11. Help student motivation by offering incentives and positive reinforcement.
12. Create and use graphic organizers for writing.
13. Teach metacognitive skills by thinking through the process aloud.

Where Can I Get Ready-Made Materials?

To learn all about these strategies and more, I have created a 116-page publication on CD or digital download that offers methods and materials that help to structure, guide, and support students in the areas of time management, planning, and organization (executive functioning skills). Click here to learn more. This comprehensive document includes agendas, questionnaires, checklists, as well as graphic organizers for writing and test preparation.

You will also find advice and materials in the areas of reading, math, memory, motivation, setting priorities, and creating incentive programs. These materials were all created over ten years in my private practice. What’s more, the materials are varied and accommodate learners of all ages from elementary to college. Finally, you can also get a free sample assessment from the publication, as well as view a free video on executive functioning. Click Here

Cheers, Erica