Neurodivergent learners are intelligent, creative, out of the box thinkers, but can have trouble thriving due to challenges with executive function skills like organization, planning, prioritizing, and working memory.  This class is designed to help learners strengthen these skills and give them tools to better navigate academic settings and life in general.  Learners with challenges in reading and writing due to dyslexia or dysgraphia, often also have trouble with task initiation and working memory due to the intense effort it takes to read and write.  This class is designed to give learners tools and techniques to record their ideas using as few words as possible, set up their writing for success,  encourage them to use technology to support their reading and writing efforts, and use notes and templates to study for tests or complete writing assignments.  I call this class my "Fundamentals" class because it encompasses the many areas in which I support learners here on Outschool (executive function, writing, and note taking).  For this class, I am highlighting the lessons that I think are most fundamental to learner success.  Each lesson stands alone, learners are welcome to join at any time of the year.

Each class session will focus on a different element of executive function, note taking strategy, study strategy, or writing strategy.  The goal is to give students some concrete tools and brainstorm strategies that will make navigating academic environments and life in general a little easier.  Each class will include discussion, a short mini lesson on the strategy of the day, and a chance to apply what we learned through some form of practice.  Copies of my presentation, a study guide, template or all three will be provided after each class session so families and students can take what they learned and use it outside the classroom.  During note taking skill sessions students will be taking notes on a presentation about unique real world people, animals, events, etc. 

***This class covers many of the fundamental concepts and uses lessons that I teach in my executive function, note taking, and writing camps here on Outschool.  I also cover these topics in my ongoing executive function support classes in a different format.  If your learner has taken classes with me before, much of this material will be a review.  Please reach out to me with questions to determine if this class is a right fit for your learner.  It is designed to give new families an introduction to executive function, writing, and note taking skills that will help learners to be more successful in academic environments and in life.  Families who have joined me for similar classes before can choose to drop in for a stand alone lesson or two on fundamental concepts that their learner may have missed because they missed a day of camp or joined my ongoing support class in the middle of the year.  This class will reset once a year.  


Fall

Note-Taking

Week of Sept 8: Sketch Notes

 Week of September 15: Mind Maps (Thursday classes do not meet)

Week of September 21: No class

Week of September 29: Venn Diagrams

Week of October 6: No Class


Executive Function

Week of October 13: Planning

 Week of October 20: Prioritizing


Winter/ Spring

Writing

Week of Jan 5: KWL

Week of Jan 12: Mind Map

Week of January 19: Pro and Con Table

Week of January 26: No Class

Executive Function

Week of February 2: Emotional Control

Week of February 9: Impulse Control

Week of February 16: Self Monitoring

Week of February 23: No Class

Column Note-Taking Strategies

Week of March 2: KWL Note-Taking

Week of March 9:  Two Column Summary

Week of March 16: Two Column Question

Week of March 23: No Class

Week of March 30: No Class

Week of April 6:  Cornell Notes

Executive Function

Week of April 13:  Task Initiation

Week of April 20:  Flexible Thinking

Week of April 27: No Class

Week of May 4: Working Memory

Week of May 11: Organization

Week of May 18: SMART Goal for Summer




****My Refund Policy****

Ongoing: No refunds will be offered for missed classes.  Parents, if you don’t wish to pay to hold your spot, please use the pause feature by at least the Saturday before your learner will be missing class. Transfer to a same week section is offered  upon request when possible. (I recommend that you plan ahead) Videos of most class sessions will be available for review. A PDF of my slides or study guide always available after the session is over.