7.16 Executive Functioning Demands

7.16 Executive Functioning Demands

Author: Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi June 28, 2025 Duration: 1:09:19

What's really happening when students struggle to stay on task, complete assignments, or transition between activities? In this illuminating conversation with literacy experts Dr. Matt Strader and Dr. Douglas Fisher, Shannon and Mary delve into the complex world of executive functioning and its impact on classroom performance.  Executive functioning isn't just about behavior—it's about cognitive processes happening in the brain's prefrontal cortex. Both guests help us understand the crucial distinction between the neurological processes of executive functioning and the observable skills of self-regulation. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE EPISODE:


  1. McGraw-Hill Science of Literacy Library:
    A free resource hub containing blogs, videos, research reports, and more— designed to connect teachers with practical classroom resources and Professional Learning tips.
  2. Dr. Douglas Fisher's website
  3. Dr. Matt Strader on LinkedIn
  4. Executive Skills and Reading Comprehension:  A Guide for Educators by Kelly Cartwright and Nell Duke *Amazon affiliate link
  5. Center on the Developing Child from Harvard University
  6. Deborah Phillips-EF as the "air traffic control system"
  7. Lynn Meltzer- mountain versus trees (cognitive flexibility)
  8. Amy Berry- Teacher expectations on engagement
  9. Timothy Shanahan's blog from 2022 on Executive Functioning and Reading
  10. Center on the Developing Child (Harvard University):  EF- video
  11. Unmasking Autism by Devon Price *Amazon affiliate link*
  12. FCRR: Alphabet Arc
  13. Promoting Executive Functioning in the Classroom by  Lynn Meltzer   *Amazon affiliate link*
  14. Cognitive Challenges  article by Stephen Chew and William Cerbin
  15. Bandura-outcome expectations
  16. Understood.org:  What is neurodiversity?

Support the show



In the Reading Teachers Lounge, hosts Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi pull up a chair for a conversation that feels both deeply professional and warmly familiar. These two elementary reading teachers and Atlanta neighbors discovered a shared, fervent passion for literacy over a local dinner, realizing they were kindred spirits in their mission. That initial chat never really ended, and now it forms the heart of this podcast. Each episode invites you into their ongoing dialogue, where practical classroom strategies, reflections on what works, and thoughtful discussions about reaching every single learner are all on the table. It’s a space designed for fellow educators, dedicated parents, and anyone invested in how children learn to read, offering tangible ideas rather than abstract theory. The tone is collaborative and grounded in real classroom experiences, reflecting a joint belief that literacy is foundational. By tuning in, you gain access to their collective experience and earnest curiosity, all focused on the complex, rewarding world of teaching reading. This isn't about performance; it's about sharing a genuine professional conversation from their lounge to yours, making the Reading Teachers Lounge a unique podcast for those who live and breathe language education.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 129

Reading Teachers Lounge
Podcast Episodes
Students Need Systematic, Explicit Phonics - ILA says so! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:57
Mary discusses a brief that has been put out by the International Literacy Association that shares information about how phonics instruction must be systematic and explicit as part of an overall efficient, effective, and…
Back to School [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:16
This is the beginning of season 2! Shannon and Mary catch up about what they have been up to during the summer and how they're getting ready for the new school year.Resource Links:SMART Goals (lol)Fundations Phonics Prog…
Hands On Learning in the Summer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:40
Are you ready for summer? We can't wait to play with our kids! Mary and Shannon have compiled some resources for hands-on summer play to practice important reading skills outside of the classroom. Resource Links:NOTE: As…
Necessary Phonics Lessons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:48
We share some of the unexpected phonics lessons that students need that aren't always obvious in the curriculum guides. These important and necessary phonics lessons are essential in phonics instruction.Resource Links:NO…
Facilitating Digital Learning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:58
Shannon and Mary share how to facilitate digital assignments in the reading classroom. We go into detail about using Moby Max, Imagine Learning, and Boom Learning with students. Resource Links:Digital Assignments Sheet C…
Teacher Jargon Defined: Phoneme and Grapheme [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:42
Shannon and Mary review the terms phoneme and grapheme. They're important terms to understanding the connections between letters and sounds.Resource Links:NOTE: As an Amazon Associate program, we earn a small amount from…
Encoding First, Decoding Second [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:32
Shannon and Mary discuss a professional article, "Why Phonics Teaching Must Change" published in Educational Leadership, September, 2008 by Jeannine Herron. They talk about a different approach to teaching students to re…
Preschool Literacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:42
Shannon and Mary talk about pre-reading skills and other school readiness skills that students need before going to Kindergarten. They interview Emily Howland, a pre-school educator about important early literacy skills…
Teacher Jargon Defined:  Executive Functioning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:32
Executive Functioning is a term being thrown around a lot in schools today. We break down what this term means and why it's important for educators to understand it. We discuss the importance of teaching these essential…
Authentic Writing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:57
Reading and Writing go hand-in-hand. Hesitant readers tend to be hesitant writers. We ask students to do a lot of writing throughout the day. Shannon and Mary discuss the importance and elements of quality writing instru…