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?

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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
7.6 The Reading Team [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:16
Shannon and Mary chat with Katherine Hamilton about maximizing the learning impact of co-teaching. The conversation is centered around an article from Choice Literacy written by Franki Sibberson titled Aligning Curriculu…
7.5 Spelling that Sticks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:14
Shannon and Mary welcome @MindfulTeacherRachel back to the podcast to discuss strategies for helping their students strengthen spelling skills. They talk about the stability of English spelling and the meaning-based reas…
7.4 Word Knowledge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:34
Shannon and Mary welcome Heidi Martin (@Droppin' Knowledge with Heidi) back to the podcast, and Heidi's husband, Adam, a LETRS trainer, also joins the conversation. They talk about all the aspects that go into the topic…
7.3 Book Equity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:23
Shannon and Mary welcome Marty Martinez from Reach Out and Read and Judy Newman from Scholastic to the podcast to talk about Book Equity. They share ideas for getting quality books in students' hands and nurturing studen…
7.2 Mending Teachers with Karen Gross [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:30
Shannon and Mary have an informative and inspiring chat with Karen Gross. They learn details about how the Covid-19 pandemic affected teachers and students. Karen shares why the role of teachers is more difficult today,…
7.1 New Opportunities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:16
Mary and Shannon catch up with each other after the summer & podcast break. They chat about their own children, their personal lives, and their plans for this upcoming school year. They discuss the implementation of Geor…
Reading Lessons with Jennifer Serravallo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:21
Shannon and Mary chat with Jennifer Serravallo, whose literacy work they have long admired. Jennifer shares how her view about reading instruction have evolved over time. Jennifer's written a new book showing teachers di…
Reaching All Readers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:53
We have a summer bonus episode for you!Shannon and Mary have Anna Geiger, the Measured Mom, join them in the lounge again to discuss the best evidence based practices that teachers can use to reach all readers. Anna's ne…
Season 6 Finale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:02
Shannon and Mary gather together to review the school year and close out the podcast season. They give updates on their personal and teaching lives and share their summer plans. Later they're joined by Kelsey (wifeteache…
Meeting Students Needs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:19
Shannon and Mary chat with Nancy Young and Jan Hasbrouck about differentiation and the latest updates to the Ladder of Reading and Writing. Listeners will get a better understanding of WHY it's so important to make adjus…