Please CLICK above to share. Students with executive function challenges benefit from being taught directly about strategies for school and life success then implementing them for a looong time. After many years of working with these kids, there are definitely a handful of ESSENTIAL questions they SHOULD be asking themselves on a daily basis in order to effectively track the systems they need to be maintaining. When students DON'T learn to ask these questions, things fall apart, they … [Read more...]
3 school PLANNER myths and what to do instead
Please CLICK above to share. In this video, I'll explain 3 big myths about planners/calendars/agendas and how adults try to help students use them. Then I'll give you guidance on what really matters when choosing the right planner for a student who struggles with planning. Love my work and want to give? Click here! To support me, please CLICK at the bottom to share. Click here to visit my official YouTube Channel & subscribe if you want! Thank you — Seth Reading the … [Read more...]
Quizlet? Really!?
If you like my work, Please *CLICK* above to share. Thanks! -Seth Parents, teachers & students: I've worked with a lot of students who use quizlet or other online flashcard programs. The result? It seems like you're doing something but it's an incredibly ineffective way to learn. Here I teach why and what students can do instead. If you like my work, Please *CLICK* below to share. Thanks! -Seth … [Read more...]
SPRING BREAK. Do this. 7 easy things.
Please CLICK above to share. Hey parents (teachers, you might like this one too), Here's a quick video I made to break down some of the things you might want to keep in mind as your child enters spring break. As we know, this is an interesting time of year because the end of the year comes up QUICK, and it's easy for students to fall further behind. When kids get too far behind and they can't recover from it, they have to retake classes and deal with other consequences. This video … [Read more...]
7 Ways to help your child start the NEW YEAR off right in school
For most students, second semester starts back up in the first week of January. Check out the ideas below and use what works for you. Let me know how it goes. Happy 2017, Seth Minimize stuff - I usually recommend to my families that they do a serious downsizing of "stuff" twice a year (winter and summer). Pick a weekend in January and use it to get rid of all of the excess "stuff" you have. For example, you and your child might go through all clothes, keeping only the … [Read more...]
One BIG Secret to Helping Kids Grow
We often try in vain to "help" our kids by... Lecturing Logic Reason Being rational "Talking some sense into them" But once they feel "threatened", it's not getting through. It's so easy for us, as adults, to see what "needs to be done". We can see so clearly that if they just do x, y and z, that they would make things so much easier on themselves. We just don't understand why they don't take these simple actions and it's infuriating. So what works? Believe it or not, one … [Read more...]
PARENTS, Are Apps For Students Really Worth It?
Please CLICK above to share. Parents, I went on a bit of a rant here, but it ends well! Enjoy. Below is the text from the email that inspired this video... I've reached a peak frustration level with my 2e student. I have attended many parent seminars / conferences / talks / meetings (you get the picture) and after attending yet another last night and leaving frustrated, I thought I'd pose a question: If ALL the experts agree that kids should have limited screen time (especially kids … [Read more...]
Students: Are You Going Through “The Dip” Again? [Video]
"The Dip" is a completely predictable pattern for many outside-the-box students. Here's how it goes: The semester starts strong. Organized, optimistic, ready. Classes seem to go well for a couple of weeks. A couple of things go wrong, but no cause for alarm. Maybe you forgot to study for a couple of quizzes, forgot to do some reading, forgot to do a couple of assignments. BAM! 6-8 weeks into the semester, everything suddenly falls a-p-a-r-t. Perhaps teachers just updated a bunch of … [Read more...]
“He’s not motivated by much of anything”
Here is a set of 3 videos based upon the following email I received from a reader: Hello Seth, I have an 11-year old son in 6th grade, a 2E-type boy (in a "GT" program since 3rd grade and also on a 504), who is not motivated by much of anything. When he wants to, he can do great work, but only when he wants. And, it's never clear what motivates this uptick in more attention to his work. Sometimes, it's the subject matter, as he definitely has his passions. He's very much an out-of-the-box … [Read more...]
2 Essential Tools for Planning Your Writing (Video)
Throughout my 12-year teaching career, writing was, by far, my favorite thing to teach. No, I'm not a great writer myself, but that's not as important as you might think. What is important is that I fell in love with writing, that I understand it's immense value and that I have a toolbox for writing that works for me. And those are my goals for all students I work with: Empower students to fall in love with writing Genuinely and deeply value the art of writing Build a reliable … [Read more...]
FICTION WRITING: Elements of Story (Video)
You MUST understand elements of a story, regardless of grade level, if you are going to be writing fiction at all. Basically, there are 5 elements that every story must have, or it's not a story. The elements are: Character Setting Plot Theme Point of view This video breaks it down in plain English. 💚 Give: Love my work and want to donate? 🎦 YouTube: Visit my official YouTube channel here. Please subscribe, like & comment to support my work. 👉 Share: To … [Read more...]
What is Executive Functioning? How Does it Affect My Child? (In Plain English + Free PDF cheatsheet)
Click here take the Executive Function Quiz Why is an article about Executive Function so critical? If your child struggles with school (homework, trouble staying on-task, disorganized, problems with time management, avoidant, resistant, forgetful, overwhelmed, etc.), they probably struggle with Executive Function, and this article is literally the most important article I've written for you. You see, Executive Function is the #1 term parents and teachers must understand in order to help … [Read more...]
Down to the wire – How to pull it together at the end of the school year
Please CLICK above to share. As far as the school year is concerned, it's down to the wire, the pressure is on, the stakes are high. Just a couple more weeks and school is out. If students don't pull it together right now, they will end up retaking classes, going to summer school, missing graduation requirements, etc.. I know because I see the exact same patterns every year. Struggling students are swimming upstream, overwhelmed, don't know where to start, don't know how to study effectively, … [Read more...]
How to deal with spring fever insanity
Here's the scoop: Spring has sprung and things are getting crazy. Energy is escalating. Teachers are getting tired from the long year, their plates are piling up with end of year tasks. Students are burnt out from testing. End of year assignments/projects/tests piling up. Everyone wants to be outside. It is even more difficult to focus. Struggling students are more at risk because the end of the school year is closing in very fast. What to do about it? Double down. Do … [Read more...]
What’s your Prioritization Style?
How to get better with priorities Every week I work with the most amazing group of outside-the-box learners. All are right-brained students who struggle with some combination of executive function issues. In a nutshell, they learn differently. We work on homework, organization, time management, emotional regulation, social issues, etc.. Last week, one of my high schoolers asked, "how should I prioritize my homework so I can get it done more efficiently?" This is a great question, and here's … [Read more...]
The Homework Continuum Deluxe (why homework isn’t just one thing)(Video)
Please CLICK above to share. Odd as this may sound, students who struggle with homework aren't just struggling with homework. They're struggling with many things that have a lot to do with "executive function." Executive function refers to the brain's ability to "execute" a complex task. In the case of homework, which sounds like 1 single task, there are actually many subtasks that must be done in order to successfully complete it. This series of subtasks is what I call The Homework … [Read more...]
Backpack overhaul 101: Your new best friend (Video)
Today I’m going to teach you exactly how and why I teach students to do a regular “backpack overhaul” and why it’s a critical tool for student success. Trust me, this is one of the best game-changers. How long the overhaul takes: 1 hour the first time you do an overhaul. 15 minutes once a week after that. Age: I teach ALL of my students to do this, elementary through grad school. About my students: The students I work with are notoriously outside-the-box thinkers who struggle with … [Read more...]
How I successfully teach students to make a "daily plan" (Video)
This won’t come as a surprise to you, but the students I work with aren’t exactly great with planning. In fact, they usually resist it. But here’s a problem, because learning to plan is absolutely essential for every single student in order to prepare for independence in life, regardless of the type of work they eventually go into. "Quit bugging me! I know what I'm doing" These students want more and more independence but still lack the tools to manage independently. They also tend to be very … [Read more...]
How to begin spring semester the right way
Here's a 7 minute video where I share how I help prep students for the spring semester. Of course many students won't want to do this. After all, it's not exactly fun. But the amount of energy and frustration it will save makes it well worth it. Not to mention, it will help you have a much more successful semester, ultimately giving you more free time to do what you want. Here are the main keys: 1. Bring everything home; books, folders, papers, everything from the desk or locker, etc.. (if you … [Read more...]
How to plan for projects and exams: Backwards planning 101 video
Planning is one of the most important skills students must master, but for those with executive function challenges, this is notoriously difficult. I spend a great deal of time helping students build their own personalized approach to planning, so it actually works for their idiosyncrasies. "Backwards planning" is a specific strategy I use with students who have long-term projects or upcoming exams/tests. It's flexible, easy, and powerful. The most important benefit is that it greater … [Read more...]
Down to the wire: How to pull it together at the end of a semester
Watch out! It's the end of the semester, a few weeks before break, and it's not uncommon for things to fall apart seemingly at the last minute. Unfortunately, many students fail classes they could have passed if they took certain actions. The end of the semester arrives before you know it, and sometimes it's too little too late. Next thing you know you're signing up for summer school or retaking classes... Not fun and very discouraging. Usually this happens with students who feel overwhelmed … [Read more...]
The dip: How to deal with the falling grades pattern
"The dip" is something that notoriously happens right around the 6th week of the semester (typically, this means there are 12 more weeks to go). Things pile up, a few missing assignments, a few bad scores, and suddenly, everything feels overwhelming. The dip is very predictable. It actually starts at weeks 2-3, although it's very hard to detect at this point. Everything seems fine, but details are beginning to be missed here and there. Between weeks 4-6, it really hits hard. Almost out of thin … [Read more...]
One solid tip for organizing papers & homework
Here's a video that just might have some great insights for you. It's about one of my favorite systems I help students develop. I call it "the queue." It's a simple, powerful method of tracking everything important, homework or otherwise, in one centralized place. As one of my students said, "it feels harder in my head when my important papers are all spread out in different folders." Most of my students are able to apply this easily and consistently, it works! How to set it up: 1. First, set … [Read more...]
Planner haters
I hear comments like this regularly: I hate planners. I don't need a planner. I just don't like to use a planner. I know, I know. You really don't want to use a planner. But you do need to figure out some way to manage the details. Seriously, I'll break it down and help make it simple and straight forward. I know because I do this with students all the time and it works. The nuances I will describe will make a BIG difference. Look, students who aren't naturally organized tend to get … [Read more...]
8 Quick & easy ideas to start school off right
Make no mistake, the patterns that are set in the first 4-6 weeks of school set the tone for the entire school year. If students hit a wall 6 weeks in, and red flags start popping up, chances are they'll be afflicted with S.U.S.S. for the rest of the year (Swimming Up Stream Syndrome. Not fun). Therefore, it's critical to hit the ground running and be prepared on day 1. Here's how: (Take what you like and leave the rest) 1. Print 4 copies of the school's YEARLONG calendar. Tape 1 in the … [Read more...]
The problem with writing papers
One of the college students I work with recently emailed me this: "I need to produce an outline for a term paper this semester (completing the outline is an actual assignment, due Monday, April 7) and I would like to meet for your assistance on that. We do not have to worry about quickly moving past the outline, like we did on that last paper. I also plan to meet with the professor Monday and Wednesday mornings to discuss overall concerns with the paper beforehand and get a better idea on how … [Read more...]
Clean Slate
New semester = clean slate. I work with a lot of students right before a semester begins so they can get a strong start. From grade school to grad school, here's what I do with many students: Backpack Empty it, clean it out. Ask what they use each pocket for. This raises awareness that they are choosing "homes" for things such as books, supplies, folders, money, etc. I don't necessarily care where they put things, I care that they have intentionally chosen the place, because it's all about … [Read more...]
The Writing Process
"My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip." --Elmore Leonard I've taught writing in various capacities to hundreds of students, from 3rd graders to graduate students. There are numerous systems designed to teach kids how to write, all claiming to be "the way." I prefer to teach the following paradigm, as it provides a fantastically solid foundation. This is a universal approach that works with all ages, so don't … [Read more...]
Unitasking vs. Multitasking: What's Best for Students?
Although multitasking has it's place, it's often nothing more than doing several things in succession with diminished quality. When it comes to struggling students trying to learn in our fast paced society, multitasking usually gets in the way. When I unitask, when I am fully present for what I am doing, I find that less is more. More fun, more productive, more interesting, more valuable and even more efficient. Many years ago, I got ahold of a book called The Miracle of Mindfulness by … [Read more...]
6 Supplies Students Really Need
So you get the school supply list and assume that all of the items are necessary. You visit the office store, spend a ton of money to get everything and feel good about crossing this huge task off your list. But your gut wonders if all items were really necessary. You wonder about the impact on the environment. You wonder if your child will use all the supplies. You wonder if you're wasting money, time, energy. You wonder where the teacher will store 25 boxes of tissues and why the school … [Read more...]