Let us first try to understand what are some of the possible reasons why

individuals do not / cannot focus in their learning environment.

SOME DIVERSIFIED, INNOVATIVE CONTEMPORARY METHODS SUPPORTED

BY RESEARCH TO BRING INDIVIDUALS TO FOCUS IN A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

1. ICE-BREAKERS

2.ENERGISERS

3.ATTENTION GRABBERS…

ALTHOUGH THERE IS ‘MADNESS IN THE METHODS’, THERE IS PURPOSE TO THEM

• They promote active engagement that breaks monotony & develop concentration skills

• They facilitate formation of synaptic connections in the brain through the use of movement.

• They encourage integrated functioning of the left and right side of the brain

• They stimulate brain development through the use of music, rhythm and singing that engage both sides of the brain.

• They facilitate assessment of learning

Purpose (continued)

• They develop self esteem, self awareness and confidence

• They encourage social and emotional learning

• They stimulate brain functioning through creative, logical & lateral thinking exercises

• They encourage team building, rapport building & communication skills

• They develop perspective, the ability to see things and situations from diverse points of views

Some facts to ponder• Brain research reveals that the right

and left sides of the brain vary in their functioning.

• Left brainers are systematic, analytical, logical and sequential. They write effectively however find it difficult to talk about themselves

• Right brainers are creative, intuitive and emotional. They love to talk to people and work well in groups.

Some Facts to PonderA. In the year 2000, UNICEF identified the

following life skills necessary for individuals / children to cope with the rapidly occurring changes in this competitive world:

• Creative thinking, problem solving, decision making, communication, empathy, critical thinking, coping with stress and emotions, interpersonal relationship skills and self awareness.

• These can be implicitly integrated into a curriculum through various methods like energisers, ice-breakers and attention grabbers

Some facts to ponder• Best selling author & journalist Daniel Pink

in his book ‘Why right brainers will rule the world?’ observes that in the 21st century there is a shift in terms of the expectations of abilities from people in the work environment.

• No longer are the skills of accuracy, calculation, tabulation and speed are prized since humans can easily be replaced by machines in case of these.

• In these times, it is the right brainers who are creative thinkers, effective communicators & empathisers, & problem solvers that will excel.

Some other facts to ponder• Emotional reasoning is as important as

intelligence quotient in leadership roles.

• The ability of a leader to understand what team members feel about things is equally important.

• The best strategic thinkers show more activity in those parts of the brain linked to emotion and intuition. In fact their nervous system may even supress rational thought to free those areas up.

Some other facts to ponder• Music is said to develop a bank of

emotions. • Hearing music, singing songs, and

moving provide what experts call "a rich sensory environment." Researchers believe this forges more pathways between the cells in the brains.

• It has a tremendous impact on memory and learning.

• Research shows that children who study while Mozart is being played show higher activation of both left and right brain.

What implications does this research have on human learning?

• Importance of encouraging active involvement of the right (creative) brain.

• Body control: The right brain controls the left side of the body and the left brain controls the right side of the body. Therefore, encouraging integration of movement of both left & right side of the body to promote effective integration of the functioning of left and right side of the brain in tangent. (sensory motor integration)

• These can be facilitated through the use of energisers, attention grabbers, ice-breakers!

Ice-Breakers

Some ice-breakers! Knowing names!

1. Did You Catch That Name? / Name Circle

2. Juggling Ball Game / Group Juggle

3. Name Volleyball 4. Keepy Uppy

ICE-BREAKER GAMES BEYOND KNOWING NAMES, KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING

EACH OTHER, RAPPORT BUILDING

1. Names and adjectives 2. Action names 3. Names and metaphors /

symbols 4. Four Corners 5. What’s in a name? 6. Secret friend / admirer7. How do you do?8. Airplanes

Some left and right brain stimulation energizers

1. COCONUT 2. Body writing / Names in the air3. Mirror image 4. Swimming (opposing directions)5. Rolly-polly 6. ENT specialist 7. Tummy rub 8. Robots 9. BATO, BATO, BATOTA…

Some creative thinking energisers (left brain activators)

1. Mime a lie 2. Don’t answer for yourself! 3. Lateral thinking exercise

OTHER KINDS OF ENERGISERS

1. Pass the energy 2. ZIP ZAP BOING 3. Samson and Delilah /

Stone, paper and scissor / Giants, Wizards, Elves

OBSERVATION AND MEMORY BUILDING ENERGISERS

1. I’m going on a trip 2. Shopping list 3. What has changed?

Group formation and number energisers

1. ‘Numbering’ off 2. Fruit salad 3. The animal game 4. Jigsaws/photos/pictures5. Countdown 6. Fizz buzz

INTEGRATING ART INTO EDUCATION

Activating the left side of the brain through

energisers that involve engagement in art!

Art based energisers1. Portraits / Drawing pictures 2. Design a flag /Fabulous Flags 3. Skills / Conceptual Pictionary 4. Art detectives 5. Art for environmental

conservation and urban design 6. Spaghetti & Marshmallow

sculptures

INTEGRATING MOVEMENT INTO

EDUCATION THROUGH

ENERGISERS INVOLVING DRAMA /

THEATRE AND ACTING

ACTING BASED ENERGISERS

1. Statue stop 2. Oh Kabita!3. Yes/No game 4. React and Act Game 5. What is the adverb? 6. The continuation drama 7. THE INTERPRETER

ENERGISERS PROMOTING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING

SEL energisers1. I love you but I just can’t smile 2. Check-in activities3. I am feeling…

GROUP OR TEAM BUILDING GAMES ENERGISERS

• Group Balance / Knots / Spider• Rope Square • Stranded / Lost On A Desert Island

Energisers promoting communication skills

• Messenger • Drawing game • Talking object • Action lines

INTEGRATING MUSIC, MOVEMENT,

SING ALONG & ACTION SONGS

INTO EDUCATION THROUGH THE USE

OF ENERGISERS

SONGS & MUSIC• Hokey Pokey• Walking Through The Jungle • Tita Rini Riki Rini • I Willilis I Wallalas In…• Rainforest / Rainsstorm• Creative Visualisation With

Music

CONCEPT FORMATION / ATTENTION GRABBERS /

ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING /

REINFORCEMENT OF LEARNING / TEACHING

METHODOLOGY

• Famous people / Who am I? • Who are you?

MEANING MAKING & PERSPECTIVE FORMATION THROUGH

EXPERIENCES, SELF INTROSPECTION AND

SELF AWARENESS

1. Blindfold pairs / Leading and guiding

2. Group statues 3. The “E” game 4. In the euro-train / metro

train 5. The real world

CULMINATING ACTIVITIES FOR THE

DAY / RAPPORT BUILDING /

REINFORCING LEARNING

• Presenting gifts • Writing on backs • Reflecting on the day • A – Z Review / Alphabet

game

KEEP ON SWIMMING!