Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles for Brain-Based Education. Seven initial principles are proposed for discussion and it is hoped that more will be added over time. Brain-based learning means understanding these principles.
Read More »
Brain Based Learning | Brain Based Experts
Reading and the Grand Canyon: There is no shame in guiding reading, or readers
During the summer we celebrated our twins 13th birthday with an intentional trip to and around the Grand Canyon. Biking around the south rim, hummer riding through the red rocks of Sedona, and kayaking on Lake Powell through Antelope Canyon were highlights for each of us. Because we wanted this trip to be informative, inspirational and enjoyable, my husband, Doug, and I did research before we tr...
Read More »
Pot makes you mellow, right?
If your sole source of information about the effects of marijuana use is pop culture (via YouTube, the media, and celebrity statements), it can be easy to assume that pot is simply a harmless drug that mellows people out. After all, how bad can it be if it is prescribed as medicine? Plus, there is a growing national trend to legalize recreational marijuana. All this can lead to the belief that ...
Read More »2 important skills to prepare for college and for life
In a 2015 article for Time Magazine, college professor Tim Spiker listed his top 15 tips for high school graduates headed to college. Before I share some of his list, it is the idea behind the course I teach for 7th graders entitled Strategies for Learning, Research and Writing. The idea, in form of a question, goes something like this, “What skills do students need to thrive in academic settings?...
Read More »Developing our students’ secret sauce
Everyone loves a good recipe but this “secret sauce’ isn’t something you eat…instead it is what you do that is unique to you. It’s your niche, where you shine, what makes you stand out from the crowd, and something I think a lot about as a mom and as a teacher. Developing lifelong learners is a goal of brain-based teaching and something that is “caught” and can be “taught”. Where to start: Maybe...
Read More »
Greetings to 2018 with More Brain-Strengthening Positive-Thoughts & Tips
Currently, more people are aware of the Importance of Positive Thoughts or Thinking, whether we are referring to words/expressions we say to others or our inner mind dialogue with oneself, these words/expressions can shift the thought-pathways in our brain and lead us to completely different actions or behaviors, ultimately different destiny we reach. Consider the effects of the following three ex...
Read More »Putting relationship at the Center of Learning
How is technology affecting sleep and relationships? LeAnn Nickelsen, M.Ed. has written a wonderful post on this blog highlighting the importance of sleep to learning and memory. In this post she points out the negative effect that screens can have on the quality of sleep and the need for parents to control screen exposure for both themselves and their children, especially during the evening. [1...
Read More »Celebrating Sameness While Recognizing Differences
The Irving Berlin song, Be Careful, It’s My Heart, is how I’ve always looked at teaching. Parents loan their students to me for a specific period of time, and I have the opportunity to shape, mold, and grow their child’s thinking. At the same time, I can equally turn students off to learning. As I hear Bing Crosby’s voice in the 1942 movie, Holiday Inn, the resounding message plays – be careful, i...
Read More »
S.M.A.R.T. Start to a New Year
For an old secondary school teacher, I always looked forward to second semester. Yes, I would grieve a little over the loss of some of the students from my semester classes, but there was also a tinge of excitement over gaining new students and figuring out how to “do class” better this semester than last. And, for those students who were in my full-year classes, I took January as a chance to rest...
Read More »
1:1 Technology – Harnessing the Power of the Tool – Part 2
Technology in our schools provide teachers with so many choices never afforded past generations of students. Strong school districts have technology plans which enable smooth district rollouts, seamless connections, and ample security. Technology coaches across the country are helping teachers leverage the power of technology. Yet, with the benefits of the tools come cautions educators need to ...
Read More »
1:1 Technology – Harnessing the Power of the Tool – Part 1
As I read through districts’ promotional materials several slogans readily appear: Preparing learners for the 21st century; Using 21st century skills and tools; Where our focus is on 21st century learning skills; Empowering students to be 21st century thinkers…and the list goes on. Within the next sentence or so, many districts go on to mention the use of one to one technology devices for all stu...
Read More »