"Every Student, Every Year"

All students with last names A-K contact Jaclyn Cortazzo

jcortazzo@trinityhillers.net or  724-228-2112 ext. 5506

All students with last names L-Z contact Heather Watson 

hwatson@trinityhillers.net or  724-228-2112 ext. 5510

TIME MANAGEMENT: Tips for Supporting Executive Function Skills In School and At Home

Executive function is the set of cognitive processes that give students the ability to self-manage and self-regulate. These skills help students time manage, focus their attention, regulate their emotions, and more. But stress and trauma can take a toll on executive function skills, making now a critical time to focus on them.

Here are strategies you can use to support your students’ executive function skills. Have families prepare a regular schedule for at-home learning in case of school closures. Break large tasks into smaller chunks and check in frequently on student progress.

PLANNING AND COMPLETING TASKS:

Have students record assignments and due dates in one location.

Provide written or visual directions for assignments, especially when students have less access to you when learning at home.

Share guidance with students on how to set up a productive workspace at home.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ORGANIZATION:

Create a checklist of what students will need to bring home for a transition to distance learning.

Photograph and copy classroom visual aids so students can reference them at home.

Provide guided notes to highlight key parts of a lesson and encourage active listening.

FOCUS AND ATTENTION:

Record online lessons so students can revisit them if needed.

Ask students and families to remove distractions from an at-home workspace.

Talk to students about the changes that may happen throughout the school year, how it might make them feel, and what they can do to respond to those feelings.

PRACTICING SELF-REGULATION:

Incorporate physical activity or brain breaks in instruction.