HOW THE BRAIN LEARNS:QUICK REVIEW

THE PROCESSCREATING NEURAL NETWORKS AND NEURAL PATHWAYS TO

THE OBJECTIVE: Think of it as walking through a yard of tall grass, or a forest, until the grass is worn down or the trail is clearer with less brush.

REPETITION grows number and thicknessNumber increases surface connectionsThickness decreases resistance

The Bridge Builder Video

SEVEN CORRELATESClear and focused missionSafe and orderly environmentStrong community relationsTime on taskFrequent monitoring and assessmentStrong instructional leadershipHigh expectations

VOCABULARY Neuron-brain cell consisting of a body, with an axon and dendrites

Dendrites – fingerlike input extensions that branch off from the neuron (brain cell)

Axon – output extension that pairs with dendrites

Synapse - synaptic gap the juncture between two connected neurons (the axon and dendrites)

Neurotransmitters – serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine) and hormones like cortisol and adrenaline

Myelin sheath-covering of neurons that thicken with use

Neurogenesis – or regeneration is the creation or growth of new brain cells

How The Brain Learns and Remembers Neurons are constantly firing, integrating, and

generating new information

Stimulation creates new Dendrites Fibers

Axons grow to connect with other dendrites

Frequently used Axons develop a fatty sheath of myelin = REPETITION

Quick Quiz on Correlates???????

Association & GroupingAssociating objectives with relevancy and

meaning to the student’s experiences increase interest, student buy-in

Grouping objectives allows students to “Chunk” items because of the relationships that exist between the grouped items

Both increase TRANSFER TO LONG TERM MEMORY

Short Term-Memory RetentionThe seeds may initially be an obscure notion

Associate with relevanceShow interest in student state

Holds only 7 bits of informationChunking allows brain to grasp information

and not feel overwhelmed

Long-Term Memories & Practiceaka Short-Term Practiced Memoriesmemories get stronger and become more and

more fixed as the myelin sheath gets thicker CONVERT TO LONG TERM MEMORY

Quick Quiz on Correlates???????

WORKING IT INTO OUR LESSONPre-exposure- covertly introduce days, weeks,

months ahead-PLANTING SEEDPriming- covertly teach objective for multiple

purposesPreviewing- aka long term priming-set up content

minutes before….activate prior knowledgeReviewing- minutes after learning; going over

previously exposed material, re-firing the same neural connections

Revision- hours, days or weeks after; reconstructing the learning and solidifying neural connections

Grouping Correlates-NarrativeA strong instructional leader who provides

a clear and focused mission along with a safe and orderly environment and who has good community relationships. The leader has high expectations and students are provided ample time on task and are monitored and assessed frequently.

Quick Quiz on Correlates???????

CONCLUSIONPlant seed-need beginningAssociating and Grouping….Short to Long term Memories

Chunking, Practice, and Repetition

Repetition leads to thickening Myelin Sheath which leads to “Mastery Memory Muscles”