The pandemic has created feelings of uncertainty for adults and students alike. Our plans can change at a moment's notice and sometimes we may not know what to expect the very next day. Since March 2020, this has been the reality for students, teachers and families. On the bright side, it seems we are on the path back to normal. However, stress and unpredictability from these uncertain times may have resulted in a lapse in the development of executive functioning skills for our students.

Executive function is a term used to classify the neurological processes involving mental control and self-regulation. Among other things, executive functions control and regulate skills and behaviors like paying attention, remembering information, time management, organization of materials and time, controlling impulses and appropriate responses to stress and social situations. People are not born with executive functioning skills. Rather, these skills are developed over time. Just as not all children learn to walk or talk at the same time, executive functioning skills also develop at different rates in different people. Research indicates executive functioning skills are still maturing well into teenage years and early 20's. Modeling and supporting students with these skills needs to start early and continue through high school. Additional research further indicates executive functioning is a more accurate predictor of success than test scores, IQ or socioeconomic status.

To help support the development of executive functioning teachers can do the following:

• Post a daily schedule.
• Have clear, consistent and predictable routines and procedures.
• Provide visual supports (example - poster displaying the problem-solving steps, writing strategy, classroom routines, etc).
• Minimize classroom clutter.
• Build time for locker and desk clean outs.
• Encourage the use of an agenda.
• Help students break long-range assignments into smaller chunks with deadlines.

If you have students you know may have deficits in executive functioning, check in frequently and provide supports and positive reinforcement. If you are planning a revamp of your classroom procedures and structures, consider implementing strategies that support the development of these skills.

Want to know more? Check out the video below.

Metacognition and executive functioning are closely related. In a basic explanation, metacognition is thinking about thinking. Metacognition is considered by researchers to be the behavioral evidence of executive function. The teacher modeling their thinking process for students when solving a problem or answering a question can help increase both metacognition and executive function. Increasing opportunities for students to synthesize learning and draw connections to prior learning can also help support the development of both areas.

Triangle-Circle-Square is a closing strategy featured on The Teacher Toolkit. This strategy helps students make connections, pick out important pieces of information, and assess where they may still be struggling.

In the link below, you can watch this strategy used at the elementary and secondary levels. The link also contains directions and ready-to-use Google Docs for the strategy at each level.

Do your students love Kahoot? Did you know that Study Island has Group Sessions (game and non-game based) that you can create to support grade-level standards? You can have your students engaged in practice to help review critical standards and you can gather formative assessment data at the same time.

There are three kinds of Group Sessions available in Study Island for our students and teachers in grades 2-8.

Checkpoint: This noncompetitive, teacher-led quiz can be can be taken as a group or class.

Challenge: This is a game-mode practice led by the teacher where students earn points for correct answers, speedy answers, and correct answer streaks. This is a class and teacher favorite of the three group sessions.

Race: In this group session, students race against each other and the clock to answer as many questions correctly as they can.

Want to know more? Check out the Edmentum blog post here or check out a video here about the Challenge and Race mode.

As we become more dependent on utilizing Google Docs and Folders, issues may arise if the owner of the document or folder is no longer employed by Warrick County. There may also be times you want to transfer the ownership of a folder or document to another person. Jeff Tron has put together a detailed how-to document with steps on how to transfer ownership within Google. Click here to check it out.

During this busy season, you may be running from one event to the next, preparing for a gathering in your home or getting in some extra exercise to burn off those extra holiday calories. A podcast might be a perfect addition to any of those activities. In place of recommended reading this month, we will be recommending some podcasts to add to your favorites list. If you are looking for more recommendations, check out the link here for other suggestions.

• Study Island and Exact Path - On January 12th and 13th, Kim Heiderich-Watson from Edmentum will be here to host two half-day PD sessions. Each morning will feature a session for Study Island beginner training. Each afternoon session will focus on how to best use Study Island and Exact Path together to accelerate learning. Talk with your principal for more details and be sure to register in Professional Learning.
• Mobile Minds - If you are interested in receiving your Level 1 or Level 2 Google Certification, reach out to Jeff Tron. We have seats available in preparation courses from Mobile Minds to help you succeed.
• Keep Indiana Learning - Keep Indiana Learning is a great place to access professional development and resources for Indiana educators by Indiana educators. Many resources are on-demand and can fit your busy schedule. Click here to learn more.
• Indiana Learning Lab - Several resources previously available on the IDOE website have been moved to the Indiana Learning Lab. In addition to these resources, you will find professional development and tutorials covering a wide range of needs and interests. They are also hosting the Extra Yard for Teachers Summit on January 8th (virtually). This free summit includes access to the live stream of the keynotes and special guests, four PD breakout sessions, certificate for 8 hours of PD credit, and giveaways. To learn more or to register, click here.

Thank you for reading our December newsletter. After reading, fill out the form below for your chance to win a special treat delivered to you at school.

Congrats to our November winner, Kelsey Huber.

Click here to enter!

Email: estallings@warrick.k12.in.us
Website: warrick.k12.in.us
Location: 300 East Gum Street, Boonville, IN, USA
Phone: 812-897-6037