Promoting Executive Function in the Classroom

What Works for Special-Needs Learners

by Lynn Meltzer

Accessible and practical, this book helps teachers incorporate executive function processes—such as planning, organizing, prioritizing, and self-checking—into the classroom curriculum. Chapters provide effective strategies for optimizing what K–12 students learn by improving how they learn. Noted authority Lynn Meltzer and her research associates present a wealth of easy-to-implement assessment tools, teaching techniques and activities, and planning aids. Featuring numerous whole-class ideas and suggestions, the book also covers the nuts and bolts of differentiating instruction for students with learning or attention difficulties. Case examples illustrate individualized teaching strategies and classroom accommodations. Fifteen reproducibles are included; the large-size format facilitates photocopying and day-to-day reference.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Dr. Lynn J. Meltzer is the President and Co-Founder of the Research Institute for Learning and Development in Lexington, MA. She is a Fellow and Past-President of the International Academy for Research in Learning Disabilities. She is the Founder and Program Chair of the Annual Executive Function and Learning Differences Conference which she has chaired for the past 37 years.

For 30 years, Meltzer was an Associate in Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Child Development at Tufts University.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This practical book provides teachers with effective strategies to help students improve student’s executive function skills (planning, organizing, prioritizing, and self-checking).

[Alison Abrams · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe this is for novice teachers, but nothing was new, except ideas that are way too much for a teacher to complete in a classroom with 25-30+ students. I thought the tone could be condescending at times, as if I'm an idiot for not thinking of these ideas on my own. While there are good techniques, they are pretty common knowledge in my opinion. Some of the handouts are good - others are too much when teachers already have enough stacked on their plates. Maybe a college student could benefit from this book, but many veteran teachers will be bored and have to apply their own executive functioning skills just to get through it.

[Cheri Bushue wiegman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that gave me more tools to use for my struggling learners. It would be better for parents who are struggling with what to do for kids who have some executive function issues. As a veteran teacher, I do most of these things already, but good to know more about transfer. If your child studies hard for tests, but doesn't do well on tests, then this is a good read.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm feeling very unorganized after reading this book!

Very helpful step by step guide on how to teach executive function in the classroom. Many ideas can be carried over into your everyday life.

Well done!