Organization skills are crucial for middle school students, particularly those in special education. These skills are part of executive functioning and are essential for academic success and daily life. This blog post introduces an effective lesson plan featuring a “Middle School Executive Functioning Interactive Activity” from Everyday Speech, designed to help students improve their organizational abilities.
The Importance of Organization Skills
Why Teach Organization?
Organization is a key component of executive functioning. It helps students manage their time, materials, and thoughts, leading to improved academic performance and reduced stress. For special educators, teaching these skills can be particularly rewarding as it empowers students to become more independent and confident.
Lesson Plan Overview
Objective: To enhance organization skills in middle school students using interactive activities.
Materials Needed: Middle School Executive Functioning Interactive Activity
Duration: 45 minutes.
The Lesson Plan
1. Introduction to Organization (5 minutes)
- Begin with a discussion on what organization means and why it’s important.
- Highlight the connection between organization and successful task completion.
2. Interactive Matching Activity (10 minutes)
- Utilize the “Middle School Executive Functioning Interactive Activity.”
- Students will match daily tasks with appropriate organizational strategies.
- Encourage group discussions about each match.
3. Personal Organization Plan (15 minutes)
- Students create a personal organization plan in their notebooks.
- They list daily tasks and apply the strategies learned from the interactive activity.
4. Group Sharing and Reflection (10 minutes)
- Students share their plans and discuss the benefits of being organized.
- Conclude with a reflection on how these skills can be applied in daily life and school.
Conclusion
Organizational skills are vital for middle school students, especially in special education settings. By using the “Middle School Executive Functioning Interactive Activity” and the strategies outlined in this lesson plan, educators can provide students with the tools they need to stay organized and succeed. Empowering students with these skills not only aids their academic journey but also prepares them for the organizational challenges of daily life.
Sample Video
Students learn best from watching real students their own age model skills. Try out this sample video-modeling lesson below. We offer our entire Social-Emotional Learning platform free for 30 days here!
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