Using project based activities to improve executive functioning skills can be fun and effective. Many kids struggle with basic executive functioning skills, which impacts classroom performance. Executive functioning skills include problem solving, planning, organization, critical thinking, and more. Working through a project with an end goal can include all of these skills.

Using Project Based Activities for Planning and Organization

Projects inherently require planning and organization skills. Consider the following scenario:

I want to make a chicken coop in my yard. I have never had chickens and don’t know their requirements.

Things I may need to plan for include:

• How many chickens will I get?
• What breed will I get?
• How much space do I need?
• Where will I place the coop?
• Do I buy or build a coop?
• What do chickens eat?
• Where do I buy food for them?

Those are just a few of the things that I would need to consider. Now imagine I had executive dysfunction, specifically with planning skills. What would happen if I bought the chickens as my first action? What if I bought a small coop (sized for 3 chickens) then bought 10 chickens? You can see how the project can easily get out of hand.

What Types of Projects Can I Use?

Any type of project can be used to address executive functioning skills. One that I used in the past (purchased online from Teachers Pay Teachers) had the kids creating a paper based treehouse. It took multiple sessions and the kids enjoyed it. They did not realize all the skills they were practicing, which in that case included math, problem solving, fine motor skills, planning, and organization.

Two popular projects that I have created involve planning trips. My Plan a Camping Trip activity has the student plan a “National Park Tour” and includes planning to camp in 3 different parks. They are required to “shop” for equipment, food/drinks, plan transportation and lodging. They read maps, “Know Before You Go” pages, and airline information. Skills worked on include math, planning, organization, as well as visual scanning (to read map).

My other project (Plan a Beach Trip) includes similar activities, with the student planning a trip to the beach that involves a 2-day drive.

Both projects can require multiple days to finish and are a great way to address executive functioning skills. Students are encouraged to learn more about the 3 National Parks to extend the activity, by creating a scrapbook page and a diary entry. Projects do not need to have a completed physical component, although may increase engagement.

Using Project Based Activities (More Ideas)

1. Create a lemonade stand
   1. Research recipes
   2. Plan shopping trip/determine supplies needed/write list
   3. Prepare budget
   4. Advertise, ETC.
2. Create a lawn mowing business
   1. Decide on pricing
   2. Advertise
   3. Budget for equipment maintenance
3. Design flyers for babysitting business
   1. Determine the minimum client age
   2. Decide between a one-page flyer versus business cards
4. Make a coffee cart for teachers, take from class to class
   1. Practice making the coffee
   2. Locate appropriate equipment to use
   3. Figure out pricing
5. Run a snack shack during sports activities
   1. Create menu/shopping list
   2. Determine prices
   3. Figure out best hours to run the shack

Let your imagination run wild when deciding on a project to use to improve executive functioning skills.

Planning A Trip Resources

Click the photos below to preview the activities (both activities included in the bundle). Available in worksheet format (PDF) or Google Slides™ format.

Plan a Beach Vacation Description:

• Use a calendar to answer questions regarding planning dates
• Create a packing list by adding to a suggested starting list; determine the number of items needed to cover 4 days of vacation
• Create a menu, shopping list, and budget based on 4 people needing to eat for 4 days
• Utilize outside resources (internet, grocery ads, or adult assistance) to determine approximate cost of food items on shopping list
• Read and interpret a map to answer questions regarding travel
• Use information given in charts to answer questions regarding costs of lodging and transportation
• Determine the final budget
• 9 pages of worksheets (B&W and color options, 18 total worksheets)
• Answer key included

Plan a Camping Trip (National Park Tour) Description

• 20 pages of worksheets
• Answer keys for all worksheets, including spreadsheet for food worksheet
• 3 different National Parks (Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Great Smoky Mountains), with 1 “Know Before you Go” page, 1 map, and 1 worksheet with questions per park.
• 3 worksheets using airline departure charts and rental car information with questions about each
• 1 shopping worksheet for camping supplies with budget included
• 1 worksheet for food supplies with quantities and prices of items. Students will need to determine how many of each item is needed for each trip
• Extend the learning opportunities for each park
• Vacation scrapbook page
• Dear Diary writing page

TESTIMONIAL

Kira said, “I love these activities, because they are such great ways to work on executive functioning skills in functional and fun ways. There is a lot of variety from worksheet to worksheet, so the activities don’t get boring, and it provides a lot of material for many different sessions“.