Responsibility

Working memory is an important executive function because it helps children (and adults!) recall information required to complete tasks or functions, such as notetaking, spelling, or the order of operations in math. Some children seem to excel in this...

Planning is the ability to create a roadmap to reach a goal or achieve a task, while prioritizing involves the ability to make decisions about what is important for you to focus on next. It can be challenging for children to know where to get started on...

Bryan Smith's Kindness Counts is a story about teaching random acts of kindness. These activities will help teach the importance of being kind to others, even when it isn't easy. Worksheets, games, discussion topics and group activities...

Initiative is the ability to start an activity, plan, or task. Learning how to take initiative and get things done is an important executive function skill for children. Author and educator Bryan Smith has developed five activities to accompany the...

Problem solving involves many other executive functioning behaviors, including reasoning, attention, planning, initiation, working memory, and self-monitoring. Teach your students problem solving skills with these activities that accompany the...

Sometimes making a choice is easy. Other times, it is quite hard. This is especially true when every option is less than ideal or simply stinks. Even when children think there are no good choices, they skill have to make a decision. Award-winning author...

Students will learn the skills of accepting 'No' for an answer and disagreeing the right way with this activity that accompanies Julia Cook's storybook I Just Don't Like the Sound of NO! from the BEST ME I Can Be! series. Extend the learning with I...

This activity is designed to teach students to give more specific details and deliver them slowly. It can also teach students to listen more critically to instructions. From Julia Cook’s BEST ME I Can Be! series is an activity that accompanies her...

When you see your students display effective listening or following instruction skills, find a way to recognize them in front of their peers! The more you give praise and pay attention to positive behaviors in your classroom, the more often you will see...

Students will learn the skills of accepting 'No' for an answer and disagreeing the right way. This activity accompanies Julia Cook's storybook I Just Don't Like the Sound of NO!, part of the BEST ME I Can Be! series. This fun and unique exercise is...

When people don't follow the rules or "adjust" rules to make them fit better, it can be very frustrating to others. In the "Gum Drop - Drop" activity from the Responsible ME! Teacher Activity Guide, students will gain insight on why rules are important...

Students will explore how using the skills of “Making an Apology” and “Asking for Permission” is very important around others, including their peers. This classroom activity from Julia Cook’s SORRY, I Forgot to Ask! Activity...

Students will learn that a team is only as strong as its individual members! From Julia Cook’s BEST ME I Can Be! series is an engaging activity to accompany her storybook Teamwork Isn’t My Thing, and I Don’t Like to Share! This...

Students will relate their social filters to a common household item as they review how to choose appropriate words to say and learn the act of kindness. This classroom exercise accompanies the storybook from the BEST ME I Can Be! series I...

Read Stephie McCumbee’s storybook The Garden in My Mind and discuss the tips used in the story to learn how to avoid distractions. This activity is designed to help students plan, organize, and to redirect their focus from interruptions. Extend the...

Students will complete Random Acts of Kindness to help create an artistic display of a tree while learning the importance of applying compassion and kindness towards their peers. This activity can be done as a whole class, grade or entire school. The...