EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING Improving Working Memory I can improve

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING Improving Working Memory I can improve my working memory by using strategies I learn today! 1. Get out your binder 2. Open it to the notes from last week 3. Read the notes to be ready for our review! 4. You need a partner today. Find a partner before class starts and sit by them!

WHAT IS “WORKING MEMORY”? • Working memory… • Is part of short-term memory • Affects your ability to understand what is being said, being able to follow directions, and reason through new or difficult tasks • Working memory is like RAM for a computer… https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Nd. REEcfaihg • Is part of executive functioning

DO I STRUGGLE WITH WORKING MEMORY? • Clues that you struggle with working memory: • It’s hard to remember a list of 2 -4 directions • When given direction, you can only follow part of them • You need lots of reminders to get chores or work done • You have trouble remembering what page to turn to in class • You forget to turn in your homework or permission slip • You leave your belongings in the cafeteria or your previous classes • You have frequently found your belongings in the lost and found • You forget to bring a pencil to class a lot

IMPROVING WORKING MEMORY: MNEMONICS • Attach new ideas to words you are trying to remember. • Example: To remember the rules for the order of operations, you can think “PEMDAS” or “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally. ” • Add a tune and make it a song to REALLY help remember! • Try rhymes: If you are trying to remember your class schedule, you can say “Science is third and Mr. Tai is a bird!” … “English is fifth and Mr. JJ is not a sith!”

IMPROVING WORKING MEMORY: VISUALIZATION • Visualization means picturing an idea in your head • This can help ideas “stick” in your head a little longer • When you first start, draw the idea. After awhile, you can just picture it in your head • Practice: • I will tell you to do a task. • Draw a picture of yourself doing that task. • After 3 minutes, let’s see if you remember what the task was! • (You don’t actually have to do it, though!)

IMPROVING WORKING MEMORY: MEMORY AND CATEGORY GAMES • Playing games can improve your working memory! • Card games (Uno, Go Fish, Poker, etc. ) require you to remember what has been played and what cards others might have. • Search-and-Find games help! • Try to find license plates from different states while you ride in a car • Try to find all the letters of the alphabet (in order!) on billboards as you ride in a car • Category games help, too! • Practice: • With a partner, name as many animals that start with “B” that you can in 1 minute • With a partner, name as many US states that start with “A” that you can in 1 minute • As a class, whisper as many foods that start with “C” that you can in 1 minute

IMPROVING WORKING MEMORY: TEACH SOMEONE • If you teach someone an idea after you learn it, you can remember the idea longer • Teaching requires your brain to pull information that helps describe the idea, that can explain examples and non-examples, and that fills in extra information if the person has questions • If you really need to study for a test or remember a new skill, try teaching a classmate, sibling, or parent! • For short tasks, repeat the directions back to the person that gave them • Practice: • Teach your partner what “working memory” is

IMPROVING WORKING MEMORY: STRATEGY GAMES • Yes!! Video games can help with working memory • Video games require the use of a lot of different skills, including remembering: • Where you have been • Where you need to go • What you have tried in the past that failed • What you have tried in the past that worked • What tools you have in the game • Strategy games like “Rock, Paper, Scissors” and “Everybody’s It” require the same kinds of things! • Practice: • Play 5 rounds of Rock, Paper, Scissors with a partner • Did you learn anything about your partner’s patterns that might help you win next time?

IMPROVING WORKING MEMORY: CHUNKING • Break longer lists of ideas into smaller pieces. Small pieces are easier to remember. • Our brains can usually remember 1 -4 pieces of information. When we chunk, we break many long ideas into 1 -4 ideas. • Practice: • Try to memorize the numbers I’m going to say. • Second try! Now try to memorize them. Fun fact: Ms. Sarah N. memorized 100 digits of Pi by chunking it!

IMPROVING WORKING MEMORY: USE TOOLS • Use a timer to set a time limit to complete short tasks • Use a check-list in your phone, in a planner, on a sticky note, on your fridge, etc. • If you really want to share an idea in class but you haven’t been called on yet, write down a short phrase or mnemonic to help remember what you wanted to say • Follow a routine for tasks you do over and over. Doing it the same way will help you remember if you skip a step. Be prepared to be flexible, though, if needed! • Give your full attention when someone is giving you directions or explaining something