Executive Skills and Writing Instruction

Leslie E. Laud, EdD, is Director at thinkSRSD, an educational consulting group that focuses on evidence-based writing instruction. She has served as Adjunct Professor at Bank Street College of Education and Columbia University, and as Research Partner at the Written Expression Language and Literacy Collaborative. Dr. Laud has worked as a principal, as a teacher in special education and general education settings, and as a literacy specialist. She has served as a Principal Investigator on federally funded research grants and has published empirical studies on writing instruction in peer-reviewed journals. She regularly speaks at conferences nationally and internationally, and consults to state departments of education, districts, and schools on how to implement evidence-based practices for teaching writing. Dr. Laud is passionate about implementation science, translational research, and human-centered design approaches that make it easier for educators to use practices found to succeed.

“Laud provided professional development in our district for several years. Student writing performance improved because our educators improved their practice by learning and applying the strategies now detailed in this book. We moved from the middle of the pack on the state assessment to a top-five performing district. Most important, our students learned skills that will last a lifetime. I could not recommend a book more highly!”--Robert Mitchell, MEd, Retired Superintendent, Cumberland School Department, Cumberland, Rhode Island“What an excellent book! The format is highly accessible, offering strategies that strengthen executive functions like working memory, planning, organization, and self-monitoring. Teachers learn to co-construct writing goals with students, implement think-alouds to model planning and revision, and teach students how to manage their emotions and reflect on their learning process. The ripple effect will extend beyond writing, supporting skills that help across the academic day and beyond. This book equips educators to unlock the full potential of their learners, making it a ‘must-have’ for any teacher, interventionist, or teacher educator. I can’t wait to use it for professional development!”--Faith Borkowsky, MSEd, literacy consultant, New York; co-host, “The Literacy View” podcast“This book is set to change how teachers approach writing instruction in real classrooms. Laud brings research to life through clear, powerful strategies that teachers can use right away. Yet the true strength of Laud’s approach lies in how it helps students believe in themselves. By explicitly teaching executive skills, teachers can foster not only better writing but also greater self-regulation, resilience, and joy in learning. The book offers a roadmap for empowering all learners, especially those who have struggled or felt left behind. A highly valuable resource for educators who seek practical tools rooted in science--and in empathy.”--Teresa Limpo, PhD, private practice; formerly Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal"More than a collection of evidence-based strategies, this book shows how to move the needle for student literacy skills and self-confidence, regardless of content or grade level. Laud ‘pulls back the curtain’ for educators by showing why executive skills are so important to writing and learning and how to seamlessly support them within any curriculum. The book provides example lessons, modeled teacher self-talk, and ‘deep-dive’ explanations. After a year of using this framework, I have been blown away by the positive changes in my students’ writing skills, comprehension, text analysis, classroom behavior, and growth mindsets.”--Kathleen M. Thiel, MEd, high school English teacher, Downingtown Area School District, Exton, Pennsylvania“Laud didn’t just read every study she cites in this book; she analyzed them deeply, discussed them with colleagues, and even reached out to the original authors to ensure her interpretations were sound. Her commitment to getting it right is unmatched. In a field crowded with self-proclaimed experts and distant academic voices, Laud is a rare gem. She writes from the perspective of a teacher, for teachers--grounded, humble, and relentlessly honest. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone serious about improving their writing instruction.”--Nathaniel Hansford, author of The Scientific Principles of Teaching-

• 1. Executive Skills: What They Are, and Why They Matter in Learning to Write2. The End Game: A Framework for Developing Self-Regulating Writers3. Planning: Teach and Model the Writing Process4. Organization: Text Structure5. Cognitive Flexibility: The Key to Varied Vocabulary and Strong Sentences6. Working Memory: Transcribing Ideas While Holding Them in Mind7. Inhibition and Self-Monitoring: Goal-Driven Revision8. Social Understanding: Audience Awareness and Peer ConnectionsEpilogueAppendix of Resources and ReproduciblesReferencesIndex