What's really happening when students struggle to stay on task, complete assignments, or transition between activities? In this illuminating conversation with literacy experts Dr. Matt Strader and Dr. Douglas Fisher, Shannon and Mary delve into the complex world of executive functioning and its impact on classroom performance. Executive functioning isn't just about behavior—it's about cognitive processes happening in the brain's prefrontal cortex. Both guests help us understand the crucial distinction between the neurological processes of executive functioning and the observable skills of self-regulation.
RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE EPISODE:
- McGraw-Hill Science of Literacy Library:
A free resource hub containing blogs, videos, research reports, and more— designed to connect teachers with practical classroom resources and Professional Learning tips. - Dr. Douglas Fisher's website
- Dr. Matt Strader on LinkedIn
- Executive Skills and Reading Comprehension: A Guide for Educators by Kelly Cartwright and Nell Duke *Amazon affiliate link
- Center on the Developing Child from Harvard University
- Deborah Phillips-EF as the "air traffic control system"
- Lynn Meltzer- mountain versus trees (cognitive flexibility)
- Amy Berry- Teacher expectations on engagement
- Timothy Shanahan's blog from 2022 on Executive Functioning and Reading
- Center on the Developing Child (Harvard University): EF- video
- Unmasking Autism by Devon Price *Amazon affiliate link*
- FCRR: Alphabet Arc
- Promoting Executive Functioning in the Classroom by Lynn Meltzer *Amazon affiliate link*
- Cognitive Challenges article by Stephen Chew and William Cerbin
- Bandura-outcome expectations
- Understood.org: What is neurodiversity?
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