BRAIN ENGINEERS

As teachers, we really are brain engineers, and we need to know as much as we can about the brain. Eric Jensen has always been my “go to” source for brain research. I read TEACHING WITH THE BRAIN IN MIND over ten years ago, but I recently reread the second edition and was struck by the “dissonance” (loved how this word was used in the book) between research and practice. Research on children’s brains continually emphasizes the importance of movement, multi-sensory experiences, emotions, environmental factors, language, etc. in learning. Classroom practice is a far cry from what we SHOULD be doing and what we know is BEST for children!

Knowledge is power! I know how busy you are, so here are some of my favorite highlights from the book.

Vary Instruction
In K-2 classrooms children can handle 5-8 minutes of direct instruction.
Change your voice, change location, use a prop, divide children into small groups, use choral response, etc.
Use movement to activate attention. Stand, go for a walk, stretch, dance, march, or sing.
Balance active learning with passive learning.


Movement
Movement can strengthen learning, improve memory, and enhance motivation and morale. Movement can also enhance social skills and reduce stress.
Exercise fuels the brain with oxygen and increases the number of connections between neurons. (Rats grow more brain cells when they exercise! Hmmm! Why are we taking away recess and PE?)


Play
Play is good for us and for our brains!
Exercise play (running, dance, routines)
Group games (basketball, soccer)
Outdoor explorations (digging, climbing)
Solitary play (puzzles, beads)
Stand and stretch (Simon Says)
Constructive (blocks)
Dance and drama
Walks and hikes
Point to (touch something that starts with /m/, point to a proper noun)


Music, Music, Music!
Singing is an engaging and convenient way to learn. Music acts as a place holder in the brain and is good for repetition.


Language
Children need to talk as they learn and they need to talk about what they have learned. DEATH IS SILENT. LEARNING IS NOISY!
Invite children to discuss what they have learned and recall information with a partner.
Encourage parents to talk to their child daily about school events and what they are learning.


Questions
Ask open-ended questions and give children time to think.
Encourage children to “think out loud” by asking, “How did you know that?”


Just for Fun!

Wake up the brain and engage children with one of these movement activities.

Shake Down
Hold up your right hand and shake five times as you count.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Hold up your left hand and shake five times as you count.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Hold up your right foot and shake five times as you count.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Hold up your left foot and shake five times as you count.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Count to four with each arm and leg…then three…two…one.
End by saying, “Oh yeah!” as you extend your arms and make the letter “Y.”

Adaptations: If children are wound-up do this with a whisper voice.

WAVE!
To do the WAVE, ask children to look at you. Explain that when you point to them, they can stand up, wave their arms in the air, and then sit down. (This is often done at sports events.)

Hint! Do the wave several times. Do it forwards and then reverse and do it backwards.