Executive Functioning Curriculum Equips Beachwood Middle School Students with Essential Life Skills
Beachwood Middle School has launched a new executive functioning curriculum aimed at teaching students essential life skills such as organization, time management, and resilience. Now in its second year, this innovative curriculum, developed and taught by library media specialist Julie Ungier, is designed to help sixth graders tackle the increased academic demands and responsibilities of middle school.
Executive functioning encompasses a set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to manage their thoughts, actions, and emotions to achieve their goals. The curriculum at Beachwood Middle School focuses on four key units: planning and organizing; time management; self-control and regulation; and grit and perseverance.
In the first unit, students learn strategies for getting prepared and staying organized. The focus is on practical skills such as writing accurate planner entries, effectively planning their day, and organizing their workspace—skills that lay a strong foundation for academic and personal success.
The second unit is centered on time management, where students are taught how to initiate tasks without procrastination and break down assignments into manageable parts. This unit also introduces the concept of metacognition. Students are encouraged to reflect upon their thinking and learning processes and identify areas for improvement.
The third unit addresses self-control and self-regulation. Students explore their personal triggers and learn techniques to manage stress. Flexibility is also a focus, as students develop strategies to adapt to unexpected changes and outcomes.
The final unit emphasizes grit and perseverance. Students learn how to minimize distractions and stay focused during difficult tasks. This unit also covers working memory, with students participating in brain teasers, memory tricks, and intelligent guessing exercises to enhance their cognitive abilities.
Throughout the course, students engage in a variety of activities, including pre-assessments, group discussions, and scenario-based problem-solving that enable students to apply what they learn to their own lives. “This executive functioning curriculum is designed to make our students’ lives easier, both inside and outside of school,” says Ms. Ungier. “The lessons prepare them to navigate the challenges of middle school and beyond with confidence and success.”