Читать книгу The Executive Function Guidebook - Roberta Strosnider - Страница 46

Writing can be laborious for students with working memory executive function skill deficits. Given the task of writing (an essay, paper, long response, etc.), some students find it difficult to remember the points they would like to make first, second, or third, for example. Prewriting activities produce a concrete written plan for writing a paper (Harris & Graham, 1996).

Teachers may design graphic organizers to help students remember what they want to write and the order in which it should be written. The student completes the organizer before beginning to write. The process helps the student to retrieve and list points to be included in order before starting to write. The teacher can provide chapter and page numbers to help with the sequencing. The next step is to check to make certain that the evidence points are in the correct order. Some students with EF issues also benefit from an organizer that includes important vocabulary words. The student then uses the graphic organizer to guide his or her writing. Story maps, graphic organizers, concept maps, sequence templates, and the like are typically used with students at the elementary level. However, they can be useful for all students. Figure 2.9 is an example of a prewriting graphic organizer for an individual student at the secondary level.

The student can keep a photo of his or her completed graphic organizer to refer to as needed.

FIGURE 2.7 Prewriting Graphic Organizer

It is helpful to model prewriting and allow the student to practice it until it becomes part of his or her regular writing process. While modeling the process, point out that using metacognition during prewriting makes the writing process faster and more efficient. Not only does this step help the student remember the purpose and content of what to write, it also involves talking through what the student is thinking. This use of metacognition helps the student plan with a goal in mind, connect new information with prior experiences, problem solve, and reflect on his or her success in completing a task. Venn diagrams are a good prewriting tool to help students brainstorm and remember their ideas. The use of software programs such as Kidspiration and Inspiration are useful in teaching the prewriting process. See Chapter 6 for more details about prewriting.

Teacher Testimonial from: Elisabeth Halici

Grade: Elementary and Middle School

Executive Function Addressed: Working Memory

Strategy Name: Desktop Photo Strategy

Strategy Designed for: Whole Class or Individual

Elisabeth Halici

Each student has a picture on his or her desk of how the desk should look when class ends. Other uses of photos include pictures of visuals that are no longer needed by the class as a whole, pictures of the homework assignment from the board, or pictures of steps or algorithms needed to complete tasks.

IMAGE 2.2 Sample Concrete External Storage System