1	Getting the Brain Ready to Learn
2	Table of Contents I. The Workings of the Brain II. How To Make A Memory III. Environments For Learning Smarter IV. How Brain-based Learning Impacts Education V. Top 10 Strategies
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6	Dendrites Scientists estimate that the brain is made up of 100 billion cells. In the human, almost all brain cells are formed before birth. Dendrites are extensions from the cell. It is through these extensions that information is delivered to and from the cell.
7	Dendrites Make A Difference! Brain cells can grow as many as 1 million billion dendrite connections. The greater the number of dendrites, the more information that can be processed. Dendrites grow as a result of stimulation from and interaction with the environment. With limited stimulation there is limited growth. With no stimulation, dendrites actually retreat and disappear. During this "window of opportunity", if we enrich a child's environment with challenging stimulation we offer a child the gift of intelligence.
8	HOW TO MAKE A MEMORY
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10	The Learning Process
11	Uniqueness –
12	Environments for Learning Smarter!! creation of brain-friendly environments
13	SLEEP During Sleep- The brain is rearranging information from the day Decides what to store and what to throw away More sleep means better memory
14	Water Water is needed for chemical and electrical reactions in the brain Water lowers stress and improves concentration and behavior
15	Protein Breakfast high in protein will boost alertness and mental performance and provide energy for learning Oxygen- Movement and exercise gets more oxygen to the brain, resulting in longer attention and better concentration
16	Aromas Enhance Attention and Memory Studies suggest that lemon, peppermint or cinnamon may increase attention and stimulate memory retrieval Taste and scent have an impact on the limbic system (emotions) Apple- creativity Vanilla- calm and reflective mood enhancer Orange- energy jolt and alertness Ginger/cinnamon- calm nausea and enhance creativity
17	Standing up Boosts Thinking 5-15% greater flow of blood and oxygen to brain when standing Standing up creates more attentional arousal and the brain learns more When class energy lags ask learners to stand up Either talk for 1-3 minutes, give them an energizer or start a relevant discussion with a partner
18	Music Impacts the Learner’s Brain Music can dramatically impact the brain because both sides of brain are used to process music Pulse of the body tends to synchronize with the beat of the music Good choices nature sounds; waterfalls, rainforest, ocean waves, baroque music (60 beats per minute) Play music for no more than 20% of class time to avoid saturation
19	Plants Boost Learning Better scientific , learning and thinking environment Remove pollutants for air Raise oxygen levels and increase productivity by 10% Single plant can effect 100 square feet of space
20	Lighting can affect learning and the brain Full spectrum(closer to natural) vs. fluorescent Studies have shown that students in full spectrum lighting learn more Fluorescent lighting is likely to raise cortical level of blood, thus lowering the immune system Bright lights, especially fluorescent seem to create restless fidgety learners. Low level lights seem to have a calming effect, especially on young learners.
21	Color For better recall add color to reports, presentations, and visual displays Full color multimedia images produce significantly better recall than black and white visuals, especially in complex learning situations Color can enhance memory of text when colors are used in close proximity to words, or in groupings of shapes or forms
22	"Blue has been found to..." Blue has been found to produce a calming effect conducive to deep thinking and concentration Red promotes creative thinking and high energy Sky blue highlighted with red is a combination that encourages thoughtful study and alertness (good colors for a classroom) Yellow , orange , and coral are energizing ( good colors for a gym) Green is known to enhance production and performance Purple is a tranquilizing color that is good for the appetite ( cafeteria, faculty room)
23	Chocolate The sugar and fat in chocolate causes the release of seratonin, a neurotransmitter that triggers the brains pleasure center and endorphins, the brain’s feel good chemicals It contains other chemicals such as caffeine that are mood elevators and antidepressants Chocolate candies especially with peanuts can provide quick energy, alertness,and enhance recall after a mental exercise. Kids may benefit from eating a chocolate candy bar before a test.
24	Emotional Shutdowns Fear…Hurt….Anger…. Shut the brain down.
25	Brains Frontline: inside the teenage brain: video excerpt \| PBS 2:30 seconds
26	How Brain-Based Learning Impacts Education
27	Curriculum The brain is meaning-driven – meaning is more important to the brain than information. Brains develops through various stages with levels of readiness.
28	Instruction
29	Key Instructional Strategies
30	Assessment
31	Optimal Learning Experiences
32	Top 10 Strategies Develop positive relationships. Add more of the arts Build in more opportunity to process Add more movement Offer more choice Model and develop the use of graphic organizers and visual tools Hydrate Embrace humor Visual learning is most predominant and on the rise Students learn best in an atmosphere of relaxed alertness were they feel they can make a mistake and learn from it.