Executive functioning isn't just a single unit—it's a core pillar woven throughout the Life Ready program. We explicitly teach students how to manage their time, plan their tasks, and take control of their learning.
Download Free Sample LessonsMiddle schoolers need explicit instruction in executive functioning. Rather than expecting students to already be organized, Life Ready teaches them the systems to get there. Here are authentic examples from our curriculum:
Students discover how organization affects success in school and everyday life, identify common obstacles, and develop strategies for reducing stress.
Students develop a better understanding of how time is used each day, identify time wasters, and learn practical strategies for planning ahead.
Students learn how planners help manage assignments and deadlines, developing strategies for recording tasks and staying organized.
Students learn to distinguish between urgent and important tasks, evaluate responsibilities, and make thoughtful decisions about their time.
Students learn how to break overwhelming tasks into smaller steps, reducing stress and making steady progress toward long-term goals.
Students discover how consistent routines improve organization and reduce stress, while creating personalized habits for success.
Students learn to recognize warning signs before small problems grow, monitor their progress, and make adjustments to stay on track.
Students explore the causes of procrastination, recognize its effects, and practice practical strategies for taking action early.
Students evaluate various methods for organizing materials and assignments, developing a personalized system that fits their needs.
Students learn how to organize digital files and folders using consistent systems, reducing digital clutter across all classes.
Executive functioning skills require consistent practice. Life Ready provides built-in routines to ensure students apply what they learn.
We provide structured routines for weekly Organization Check-Ins. Instead of just telling students to clean their binders, these guided sessions teach them how to systematically maintain physical and digital organization, manage their planners, and prepare for the week ahead.
Throughout the curriculum, students apply prioritization and planning skills to realistic middle school scenarios, analyzing common time-wasters and evaluating how competing responsibilities impact their schedules.
Self-monitoring is a crucial executive functioning skill. We help students reflect on their own habits and build self-awareness.
Our Success Check-In process gives students a dedicated mechanism to reflect on their academic habits, identify strengths, and recognize areas for growth. By routinely monitoring their own progress, students learn to catch small issues before they become overwhelming problems.