4 Small Steps That Make A BIG Difference
For many students, school feels overwhelming and unmanageable, which can limit their ability to use their executive function. As an educator, helping students sort out their disparate responsibilities and assignments into a tidy to-do list can be a life changing experience. Here is how:
Step 1: Help them put all their assignments on ONE to-do list.
Awareness is the seed of enlightenment, so having all of their assignments in one place is the seed of getting them done! Once all the assignments are listed in one place, you and the student can review them and prioritise the assignments that are most urgent. Once everything is clearly listed, the student is ready to identify which assignment they need to start with.
Step 2: Have them circle the assignment that has the highest point value with the lowest grade.
To reduce the cognitive demands related to prioritisation, I tell students the way they can decide what to prioritise is by circling the assignment with the GREATEST point value in the class with the LOWEST grade. To figure this out, I instruct them to look on their school portal and identify the class with the lowest grade. To be sure their time is used wisely and they can still earn credit for those assignments, I
have them send an email using the following template:
Hi (Teacher Name),
I noticed that my grade in your class is currently a (grade).
I can also see that I am missing the following
assignments:
1. assignment name
2. assignment name
Am I still able to make-up these assignments for full credit? My goal for this semester is to earn a (desired grade) in your class.
Could you advise me on what the best approach would be to work toward my goal?
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
This process also helps them build a stronger relationship with their teacher and shows they care, which is something teachers appreciate.
Step 3: Provide prompts and support until they complete that one assignment.
Now that they have a plan, your job is to chunk things out so they feel manageable, while also collaborating with other tutors and school supports to help things get done. Asking simple questions like, “Do you want to work on your homework today?” and getting your students to say, “Yes,” will open the door to follow up questions like, “What time do you want to start?” and “How can you show proof that you have completed that?” Using solution-focused questioning is one of the most powerful tools in your tool box.
As the executive function specialist, it is your job to share that to-do list with the tutors, family and other supports to the student to ensure everyone is one the same page. Don’t feel like you need to do everything! Help the student become a resource based thinker and your job will get easier and easier.
Step 4: Repetition, repetition, repetition!
Sometimes, things don’t go perfectly. Maybe, a student can only finish two out of three of their assignments for a specific class. When things like that happen, provide the student with templates or talk them through how to ask for more time. Remember, everything is negotiable! Help them see there is no harm in asking for an extension and facilitate strengthening those executive function skills that will allow them to build relationships, negotiate their salary and create realistic timelines down the road.
Repeat these steps over and over and your student will remember you as a person who cared deeply about their success and was not willing to give up on them. Additionally, by providing clients with a repeatable process, you can help reduce the anxiety and frustration that often
accompanies challenges related to executive function.
