謎語和腦筋急轉彎-提高執行功能、靈活的思維和邏輯

IMPORTANT NOTE: I teach a similar class that uses brain teasers and riddles to strengthen Executive Functioning skills (EFX). There is some overlap of skills used to solve logic-based puzzles and riddle-based puzzles, however, a couple of important distinctions remain - logic-based puzzles do not require specific background knowledge or experience, but do require focus and exact thinking. On the other hand, riddle-based puzzles often require background knowledge and critical, outside-of-the-box thinking. 
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SUMMARY: Just the basics...
*Finishing homework on time & turning it in the next day, asking for help, working as part of a group, not saying aloud every thought, starting a job, finishing a boring & disliked task, keeping track of multiple classes, planning a long research paper with several parts, finding new solutions when one stops working.... they all require many EF skills. 
*This class uses games, puzzles, riddles, and brain teasers to strengthen the EF areas of the brain. Some tasks are easier and some more challenging. 
*I aim for "just right" teaching - a balance of silly and serious, expected and unexpected, challenging and encouraging.

DETAILS: An in-depth look...
Executive Functioning (EF) is a broad umbrella term that refers to a set of skills -  attention, flexibility, metacognition, organization, perseverance, planning, self-control, task initiation, time management, and working memory. Developing these skills leads to the growth of successful, productive, creative, resilient students and human beings. 
These skills are especially tricky because they are deceptively simple. However, just like learning to read, EF skills require consistent attention, scaffolded learning, and lots of practice.

Over the series of classes, all areas of EF are addressed through a variety of puzzles, games, brain teasers and riddles.

At the beginning of each class, I briefly introduce the particular components of EF on which we focus. I define each term using age-appropriate language and show what the skills looks like in "real life." This eliminates the common difficulty of connecting academic concepts to personal experience. The attention given to my teaching contributions is as important as the materials themselves. For instance, I state instructions using specific and deliberate language - that doesn't feel overly serious and off-putting to students. I demonstrate helpful techniques that are easy for students to replicate in the real world. 

Some tasks involve speaking & auditory processing - I present the students with a modified "Tower of London" visual and ask for them to orally give directions to achieve the illustrated target.

Some tasks involve careful listening & memory retrieval - I give a list of directions, which need to be completed in the specific order expressed. "Winning" is only accomplished by following the directions AND demonstrating a skill. 

No matter what, all tasks involve fun!

The list below is not exhaustive - it provides you with an overview of most topics covered over the length of the ongoing class: planning, thought organization, working memory, growth mindset, managing emotions, conflict resolution, sustained attention, categorizing, focused attention, sequencing, flexible thinking, metacognition, organization, perseverance, self-control, task initiation, time management.

Texts/Topic(s)
1:  "Tower of London" & "Magnet Memory" - working memory, managing emotions, time management
*No printables for these tasks:-)
2: #1Decoding & #3Categorizing - planning, thought organization, self regulation
3: #2Homophones & #4Word Unscramble - sustained attention, metacognition
4: #5Teasers & #6Different Similarities - conflict resolution, organization, focused attention
5: #7Letters & #8Complex Thinking - sustained attention, sequencing, organizing
6: #9Picture Messages & "Rhyme Rebus" - task initiation, focused attention
7: "What Am I," "Follow The Directions," &  "Through The Maze" - sequential processing, spatial abilities, memory
8: #13Flexible Drawing & #12Differences - attention to detail, working memory, time management
9:  #11Picture Messages, #10Picture Messages, & #14MNW- flexible thinking, perseverance, self-control
10: #15Am I& #16Time Out - growth mindset, managing emotions, conflict resolution
11: #17Syllable Pictures, #18Categories & #19Kangaroo Words - categorizing, working memory
12: #20Am I & "Ditloid Puzzle" - working memory, growth mindset, flexible thinking
13: "Double Trouble" & #21Find It - sustained attention, flexible thinking, focus & attention
14: "Hidden Homophones F" & #22Draw It - time management, sequencing
15: #23Unscramble & #25Connections - organization, perseverance, self-control, sequencing
16: "Spy School" & "St.Ives Riddles" - flexible thinking, metacognition, organization
...ANY MANY, MANY MORE WEEKS OF LEARNING CHALLENGES & EFX FUN! In total, this class offers 45 weeks of original content. 
(at the end of 45 weeks, content recycles to the beginning)

NOTEWORTHY:
*Learning goals remain consistent throughout the entire session. But text materials and teaching methods may be adjusted slightly to best meet the needs of each student/group section. In other words, worksheets are support materials I use with purpose; thus, some printables may not be completed. Typically I prepare more printables than I expect to use so that I'm ready to manage time hiccups and learning styles. 
*Please note that classes do continue with the minimum students enrolled:-)
*Students should bring a piece of scratch paper and a pencil to every class.
*In case of late arrival/no-show - it is my policy to wait in an empty classroom for 5 minutes before leaving.

I look forward to having a rewarding teaching and learning experience with your student!