B R A I N C O M PAT I B L E E D U C AT I O N

W E H AV E A P L A N

MARIA CASTRO COGNITIVE STUDIES CAPSTONE EDU 417 ANGELA COLEMAN JANUARY 13, 2014

PURPOSE
The purpose of this presentation is to:
introduce brain based learning; what is it and how it is different; the benefits; how you can support it at home answer any questions.

WHO AM I?
Who Am I ? Why does this matter to me?
My name is Maria Castro and I am the lead Social Worker here at your school. I am a firm believer that each student brings a dynamic and beautiful perspective to the classroom every day. I am a supporter of encouraging students to use their individual learning styles. I believe that we can integrate brain based learning strategies here at our school.

WHAT IS BRAIN BASED LEARNING?

The best way to describe brain based learning is to use three words:
Engagement Strategies Principles
We engage our students using/teaching strategies that are based on real experiences or science.

WHAT IS BRAIN BASED LEARNING?

As educators, we must understand how the brain processes information and then aid our students by providing them instruction that helps them achieve learning objectives. So our goals should be to ensure that the learning experience is student centered, actively engaging, and finally, provide variety. This can be achieved by allowing the brain to fulfill its normal functions.

THE BRAIN

Source: edutopia.org

BASIC BUILDING BLOCKS OF BRAIN BASED LEARNING

Some basic building blocks of brain based learning are:
The thinking brain memory The feeling brain environment and emotions The learning brain relevance and variety of presentation The individual student the person, how their brain works, when it works differently. Student

Variety of presentation

Relevance

Environment

Memory

BRAIN BASED LEARNING

(MEMORY)

Our students need to be able to use:

their whole body learning needs movement; more than one of their senses to enhance the learning environment and help their memory; their ability to search for the answers which will increase their drive to want to know why, what, when, how and where. the brains previous knowledge and try to apply it to new things.

BRAIN BASED LEARNING

(EMOTIONS)
There are several important neurotransmitters that help a student s state of mind which in turn affects their overall learning experience. They are listed below including their affects.
Neurotransmitter Dopamine Defined
Plays several roles in brain functioning. Two main: control conscious motor activity and to enhance pleasurable feelings in the brains reward system. Best known; Mood enhancer it calms rather than stimulates the brain.

How it affects brain development

If dopamine does not reach certain parts of the brain can result in the tremors which results in Parkinsons Disease. Since it is a calming agent, it is one of the factors in depression. Serotonin affects memory, sleep and body temp. The degeneration of this neurotransmitter in people with Alzheimer s which explains the memory loss.

Serotonin

Acetylcholine

Only neurotransmitter that is not derived from an amino acid

BRAIN BASED LEARNING

(ENVIRONMENT)
A childs environment affects their learning in a number of ways. Although we cannot touch upon all there are some key factors:
Home life if a student has a positive home life it helps in making learning less stressful. If a child has a difficult home life it can add to the stress of learning. Factors such as on parent homes, poverty, negative siblings can affect a student s ability to learn. Healthcare if a student isnt properly nourished this can lead to being sick often which then leads to absences at a school. If a student also does not have healthcare they cannot go to the doctor and get medicine which can also result in additional absences. Proper nutrition we all need to be properly nourished in order to go through our day. If a student does not have the means for food or is suffering from lack of food this can make them tired and also does not provide their brain with the proper nutrients that the body needs.

TRADITIONAL OR BRAIN BASED LEARNING

To help in understanding the benefits of brain based learning we have put together a short list of some traditional learning strategies and brain based learning below:
Traditional
Material presented by the teacher only. Material presented without support of different learning styles. Note taking and memorizing

Brain Based
Material presented by teacher but asking for input from students who may have prior knowledge of subject. Lesson plans being created that include support of different learning styles. Discussion based note gathering exchanging of ideas

BENEFITS OF BRAIN BASED LEARNING

The list of benefits below does not encompass the long term affects of this type of learning. In so many ways our students, your children will reap the rewards of this type of learning environment. Here are some key benefits:
Students are more engaged in their learning; Students are more active in their learning; Students feel more confident in their abilities; Students are encouraged to share their ideas without worry. The environment they are feels safe and secure.

A SAMPLE ACTIVITY PLAN

Brain based activities help students to focus on a specific area of their learning that enhances a lesson. Here we will outline one we can use with our Pre-K and Kindergarten Students.
Remembering your site words. Materials needed: pencil or crayon, paper, 25 site words, a timer, white board, eraser, markers. Duration: 5 days, 30 minutes a day Activity: Have each student pick a site word out of hat or bucket. Each student will get to write this word on the board for their classmates. Start with the first student and have them write the first word. Every other student in the class should write the word down and as a group they will say the word.

 Have the next four students follow the same process. Once the class has reached the first five words, have the students pass up their sheet of paper. Once all of the papers are passed up to the front, have the class recite the first five words on the white board. Let them know that they should take out another piece of paper. Once the class has recited the words five times erase the words and have the students write down the words that they remember. This activity will help the student to strengthen their long term memory while working with their short term memory. This lesson should be over a period of five days to allow for adjustments to the lesson such as having the students broken up into groups and giving them a word on a piece of paper in color and have them write the word in their favorite color crayon or colored pencil. The students can also use letter blocks, magnet letters, sand or paints to spell their words. The addition of this alternative step to the activity allows for a more hands on approach and interaction for the class.

A SAMPLE ACTIVITY PLAN (continued)

BENEFIT OF ACTIVITY
The benefits of the previous activity:
engages all of the students in the class; allows each student the ability to participate by saying a word; the class works as a group when reciting the five words at the end of each part of the lesson; each student can use a unique writing instrument of their choice, color of their choice when writing their words; addresses multiple intelligences by using the visual aspect of learning, the kinetic aspect of learning students can stand to say the word, move around work in groups, use manipulatives like magnet letters, sand, etc to spell the word.

IMPORTANCE OF BRAIN BASED LEARNING

Brain based learning has many positives for students, parents and teachers. There are many who still do not understand the importance of tying the way the brain works and learning together. But studies are being conducted more frequently and this type of learning is gaining more and more momentum. Your children will be able to use their learning styles and have more flexibility in the classroom. They will feel more secure and confident in this type of environment which will encourage them to take more academic chances without fear of repercussions. Their brains will continue to grow and adapt to fit their learning needs instead of not reaching its true potential. Teachers will have more engaged and involved students. There will be less disruptions, disciplines and absences. Teachers will be able to broaden their lesson plans to include more interactivity among students and their peers.

YOUR SUPPORT
Your support is important to your student s teachers but it is even more important to your student. Our teachers will reach out to you via backpack mail; newsletters, meeting requests, parent input sessions but they also need you to: Ask your student about the activities of the day. Engage your student by asking them to share or show you the activity or lesson they enjoyed the most. Ask them what types of things they need in order to do complete projects or homework at home and spend time with them. They need to see that you are interested in their day and want o hear about their frustrations, triumphs and things they are not sure of. Contact your student s teachers if you need assistance or would like to work with your student at home. The more partnering we all do the better your student will succeed.

PARTNERSHIP WE NEED YOU!

QUESTIONS

REFERENCES
Wolfe, P. (2010). Brain Matters. VA; ASCD Jensen, E. (2009). Brain-Based Learning Strategies. Retrieved from Florida Educational Association: http://feaweb.org/brain-based-learning-strategies Psychology Today (2011), Child in Mind. Retrieved from: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/child-in-mind/201108/how-grow-childs-brain Edutopia.org, Six Tips for Brain-Based Learning. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/pdfs/guides/edutopia-6-tips-brain-based-learning-guide.pdf Jossey-Bass. (2008), The Brain and Learning. John Wiley and Sons.