The Pomodoro technique is a time-management strategy that breaks work into productive intervals separated by breaks. It supports executive function because it reduces the cognitive load of monitoring time.

The focus card is a tool that supports executive function by helping students build self-awareness and monitor their ability to stay on task. Each student receives a printed card to keep with them while they work. The teacher periodically indicates to the class that it is time to fill out their focus card.

Direction sheets are a tool to help students follow classroom routines with multiple steps, or to show up to a task fully prepared. Note that this strategy is not intended for learning content. 

Vent space is an individual activity that supports the executive function skill of self-regulation. This strategy helps students get their thoughts and feelings out of their heads so they can process them and be more available for learning. 

Visualization is an initiation and attention strategy in which students imagine themselves completing a task from start to finish. It supports executive function because it reduces the time it takes to start a task, and makes it more likely that students will stay on task. 

“Now you see it, now you don't” is a memory activity for building executive function skills such as focus and concentration. At the secondary level, it is recommended to use complex images that are related to the content you are teaching. However, it may help to begin with simpler images until students understand the task. You may find that students need to be explicitly taught the difference between an observation and an inference or conclusion.

Grounding techniques support the executive function of self-management. There are many options for grounding that help improve focus by engaging the senses and reducing feelings of anxiety and overwhelm.

Conversation swap is a practice activity that supports the executive function skills of task switching and working memory. Students will work in pairs or groups of 3, switching between 2 conversation topics without repeating information or losing track of what they are talking about. At the secondary level, conversations can be centered around complex content once students understand how the process works.

A kanban board is a visual project management tool that can be adapted to support executive function in the classroom. A kanban board supports the executive function skills of organization and task management, especially for assignments that have multiple parts.

The Great Student Rubric helps students build executive function skills such as self-assessment, monitoring performance, setting and reflecting on goals, and managing time. Making the expectations clear and always available encourages student ownership and responsibility for behavior.