Monday, August 15th, 2016

Today's Quote:

Recap:

Yes, I really did tell my students they should not go home and immediately begin their homework. I teach from the evidence behind brain-based learning that governs how people learn the best. The research shows that the traditional way of teaching has been good up to this point, but that, given society's technological push, students don't learn in the traditional way. First, teachers must realize and apply the idea of how brains develop. To successfully keep a child's attention, you need to take the child's age and divide it by two. The resulting number is the number of minutes you can reasonably expect to hold that child's focus to one task. So if you have a twelve-year-old child, you can hold their attention for about six minutes.
Secondly, children (and adults) learn in chunks. A really poor, but graphic analogy of the brain, is to imagine a little guy standing in a small room with shelves. As new boxes (information) are sent to the room, he quickly and loosely organizes them on the shelves to keep the floor area clear. As he puts boxes on the shelf, if he gets too many, some boxes begin to fall off the back of the shelf and are lost. This is your short-term memory. As a teacher, and remembering the age limit factor to tasks, when you take a break the little guy can now begin to take the boxes and reorganize them while looking over them, and move them to long term memory.
This is why I told students when they go home they should take a quick (20 minute) "cat nap". It gives their brain a chance to decompress and allows the little guy to slow down. When they wake up, they should have a simple sugar snack such as a piece of fruit; definitely NOT a carb or protein at this point. Then, they should begin their studies, working with their hardest or least favorite subject first. Students should study or work for 10 to 15 minutes and then take a short break and come back. This pattern should repeat through the course of their studies. They should also have a well-appointed study space that does not have them laying down; your brain takes the body's horizontal position to mean that it is time to rest , and so, it produces neurotransmitters designed to start the relaxation process.
Student's homework, that is due today, is to review their study space and design the one that would best help them learn.

A Dozen Important Brain Based Concepts

Entry Task/ Brain Bender:

(This should be written in your agenda, every day!)

Place your homework in the appropriate box BEFORE THE FIRST BELL RINGS!

Quick discussion: How is integrity like a compass?

Agenda:

Handout Class Syllabi- Place in GREEN science section of binderHandout Science Quick References- Place in GREEN science section of binderHandout REMIND sign up sheets- Place in GREEN science section of binder

Who are you?- take the quiz. Write your learning style down in your syllabus. Email a copy to yourself AND to me Thomas.allison@marion.k12.fl.us

Write your Chromebook number down in your syllabus

Homework: ALL GRADE LEVELS

Watch the videos Brain Based Learning. 

Successful Learners: How Does My Brain work?

During your viewing, take notes and be prepared to come in and lead the discussion tomorrow.

6th Grade Honor's Earth Space Science:

6th Grade Class Information and Syllabus

Unit Essential Question:

What are the basic ideas behind the process of science?

Key Learning Statement:

Science is a process based upon observational and experimental studies using scientific methods to develop or explore scientific theories or laws. 

7th Grade Honors Life Science

7th Grade Class Information and Syllabus

Unit Essential Question: What methods do scientists use to answer questions and solve problems in the natural world? 

Key Learning Statement: Scientific inquiry involves forming a testable hypothesis and developing a valid investigation using scientific skills and tools to determine if the hypothesis is supported or not supported.  Data from scientific investigations helps scientists explain natural events through the use of scientific theories and scientific laws.  

8th Grade Honors Physical Science

8th Grade Class Information and Syllabus

Unit Essential Question: What is required to carry out a valid scientific investigation?  

Key Learning Statement: A valid scientific investigation uses prior knowledge, observations, and empirical evidence to test a hypothesis and draw conclusions that must be validated through repetition and replication. 

Science Current Events:

Venus, a Runaway Greenhouse Model, May Have been Habitable for Two Billion Years

Apps and Programs to Help You be Successful:

The 10 best note taking apps

Video Links/ Other Resources over this topic