Brain Rule #3--Every Brain is Wired Differently

1. Theory of Mind and Autism

• Theory of mind in normal development and autism by Simon Barron-Cohen
• Theory of Mind in Autism: Development, Implications, and Intervention by Johanna Lantz, Indiana Resource Center for Autism
• Sally Ann and the Smarties Test

2. Customized Instruction and Dyslexia

3. Teachers as "Mind Readers" : How do we actually "...git 'er done?"

• The Brain Rules Teaching Method
• A2i
• Web Tool Boxes for Educators
• Differentiated Instruction and Implications for UDL Implementation
• Differentiated Instruction and Resources

Brain Rule #2 The Human Brain Evolved, Too.

1. Click on the picture below to watch a flash presentation on the parts of the brain.




2. Go to the top left corner of this blog under the heading "Pages" and click on the title of the article below to find out what makes the human mind special.

Frith, Chris D., and Uta Frith. "Interacting Minds--A Biological Basis." Science 286.5445 (1999): 1692. Professional Development Collection. EBSCO. Web. 9 Mar. 2010.

3. Click on the picture below to read about how stress affects learning.

" Stress: Interference to Learning." Brain Connection. August 2000 By E. Simon Hanson

4. Click on the picture below to see where brain evolution might lead.

Get Smarter By Jamais Cascio--The Atlantic--March 9, 2010

Go You Chicken Fat Go!

When I taught preschool between 1978 and 1984, one of my teacher aides brought in a 78 rpm record that she had received from an adult ed exercise program called Chicken Fat. Needless to say, it appealed to my sense of the absurd, and I try to keep my teaching absurd, if nothing else to keep myself amused. We had no gym facilities (Catholic School), so if it wasn't a good day outside, we stayed in the classroom for our physical activities. I can't tell you how many times 3 and 4 year-olds exercised with me to this tune! Check out the links to the left to hear the tune and learn a little more about it. 6 minutes of this would certainly raise the pulse rate and it can be done in a small setting. The following is information from the JFK Library:

"Possibly the oddest contribution to the effort (The President's Council on Physical Fitness) was the Chicken Fat Song. Written by Meredith Willson, creator of the Music Man, and sung with enthusiasm by Robert Preston, the actor most responsible for that musical's success, the Chicken Fat Song was produced in a three-minute, radio-friendly version and a six-minute version to accompany schoolchildren during Council-approved workout routines. The song didn't get much airplay, but for tens of thousands of children doint sit-ups in school gyms around the country, the cajoling chorus of "go, you chicken fat, go!" became ingrained in their memory. "

Rule #1 Exercise Boosts Brain Power

Our books won't be available at least until the end of this week. Please read the articles below before our meeting tomorrow:

• Brain Rule Rundown #1 by John Medina
• Exercise Improves Kids' Academics by Dan Peterson
• A Fit Body Means a Fit Mind by Vanessa Richardson
• Classroom Exercise Makes Learning Lively: Four Techniques for Mental Clarity (video)

Anyone interested in an alternate time?

A couple of our members are having trouble meeting on Thursday nights. If you would like to join a group meeting on an alternate evening (in the morning? That's 6:25 people) blog on and see what can be arranged.

Where are the books?

22 books are at Barnes and Noble waiting for a PO from the DCSD. Hopefully I can pick them up and pass them out soon. I will be ordering 11 more books so we have enough to go around. Keep track of the blog to find news you can use!

New members join our group...

We have had a surge of new members joining our study group. Right now, we stand at 32 people. There should be plenty of discussion and opportunities for collaboration. Our first discussion group will meet next Thursday, February 25.