EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS
READING
WRITING
VOCABULARY
MINDSET
100
Name two executive functions that impact students in school
Attention/Focus Organization Prioritizing Memory/Working Memory Action/Self-Regulation Effort Processing Speed Managing Emotions
100
If someone can read all of the words in a text, are they probably understanding what they are reading? Name one reason why that may be the case.
Not necessarily. It is possible to read words accurately while not understanding the text for a number of reasons: Attention Vocabulary Insufficient background knowledge
100
What must students know before they can write about something?
They must understand the topic and what the topic vocabulary means.
100
What improves memory of a word meaning 37% better than writing down a definition?
Learning it with a picture.
100
Riding a bicycle is an example of what?
A "growth mindset". It is an example that many students can relate to and which shows how if you work hard at something that you are not good at you can become better and, in fact, so good that you don't even have to think about it to do it.
200
How does the Executive Function of Emotional Management impact a student in school?
Difficulty dealing with frustration Difficulty calming oneself down after getting upset Go from calm to very upset (0-10) very quickly
200
What is the "Matthew Effect" in reading?
Students who don’t like to read, don’t practice and fall further behind while those who enjoy reading, or for whom it comes easier, read more and become better readers.
200
Name one strategy to support a student who has difficulty with motor output?
Acting as a scribe for their writing Speech to text technology
200
Before a student can successfully answer test questions, they need to know what? Please give an example.
What the question is asking or what specific question words mean. Examples are: clarify, analyze, contrast
200
What happens in a person's brain that helps them to get better at something? How does this mechanism work when breaking a habit?
When a person practices something, they create new connections in their brain that get stronger the more they work at it. Picture a path in a forest that gets wider as it is used more. The neural pathways for the new connections get stronger as they are used and the pathways for the incorrect behavior weakens when it is stopped.
300
A narrow "cognitive bandwidth" describes a slow processing and small working memory. If a student is overwhelmed with the writing process, they may have a narrow cognitive bandwidth. How can you help a student with a narrow cognitive bandwidth?
Breaking the writing process into steps and working on one at a time. This approach allows the student to fully focus on a manageable task.
300
Is it always important for students to do the reading contained in their assignments? Why?
No. Sometimes students would benefit more from having the material read to them, particularly if they are struggling with decoding the words. Too much time spent on decoding gets in the way of understanding.
300
What is one reason that could cause "Output Failure" in a student?
Difficulty with the physical act of writing or typing A difficulty putting thoughts into words An inability to organize thoughts Not knowing how to get started Difficulty managing the many required components at once such as spelling, punctuation, capitalization, syntax, writing or typing executive functions: effort, attention, energy
300
What is the "30 million word gap"?
The difference in number of words heard between some children from low-income homes and some children from upper income homes when they enter Kindergarten.
300
What is the difference between a "growth" and "fixed" mindset?
People with a “fixed mindset” believe that intelligence and talent are fixed traits: they’re born with a certain amount and that’s that. People with a “growth mindset” believe that abilities and talents can be cultivated through instruction and practice. That is, they believe that throughout their lives they can get smarter and more talented.
400
Is ADHD really an attention deficit?
No, it’s a matter of paying attention at the right time, on the right thing, and shifting attention as needed
400
Name one factor that causes comprehension to go down beginning in 3rd grade.
–Vocabulary demands –More text –Longer words
400
A study on prompting students to write more about a topic showed what?
A study found that output doubled or even tripled when students with learning disabilities were prompted three times to write more about an assigned topic. Prompting even once or twice will also increase output.
400
One way of learning word meaning is the Frayer Model, which explains what a word ____________ and ____________.
is and isn't by using examples and non-examples.
400
What is the best way to speak to students to promote a "growth" mindset rather than a "fixed" mindset?
You should praise children for qualities they can control, like effort and specific actions. If you praise for intelligence or talent, children will often resist trying anything that they may fail, for fear that they will not be "smart" anymore. You want to say, I like the way you worked hard at that or, specifically, you did a good job working on that writing assignment even though it was hard. Do you see how it got easier as you went along?
500
Name at least one condition, other than ADHD, that can cause executive function weaknesses.
Lack of sleep Changes at home such as moving or divorce Autism Spectrum Disorder Stress Traumatic brain injury Emotional Disabilities
500
What is the "five-finger rule" of reading?
To check if a book is "just right", have the child open the book to the middle and begin reading. For each word the child doesn’t know, have them put up one finger. If at the end of the page you have: 5 or more fingers up - too challenging to read independently, read with an adult. The problem with reading a book that is too challenging is that bad habits can be formed.
500
A research study showed that teaching what strategies significantly help students with learning disabilities with writing?
When students with learning disabilities are explicitly taught prewriting planning strategies, the quality and length of their writing improves considerably.
500
Learning the meaning of roots as well as prefixes and suffixes helps in learning vocabulary how?
Because growing an understanding that word parts have meaning helps children figure out new words they encounter in their reading.
500
How can a "growth mindset" improve a student's success in school?
Kids with a growth mindset go out into the world curious to learn. If you believe that intelligence and talents can change, then you always want to be taking steps to increase your ability, even if this means taking risks and failing. If you feel that your intelligence and talents don't change then it's risky to try something that may make you look less intelligent. Those who aren't successful in school, may believe that there is nothing they can do to change that.
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