Rule #7 Sleep well, think well. When I read this chapter I kept going to my husband to say see I told you so. This chapter was vindication for how I work. Back in our grad school days, my husband and I took the same classes. We wrote the same papers but we did it in different ways. I slept, while he struggled over note cards. This does not mean that I did not take notes, nor have a ton…
Rule #6: Remember to Repeat As an educator I am concerned with student learning. In my opinion that means aiding a learner to reach their full potential in a variety of areas; the core academic subjects, the arts, critical thinking, etc. This a long term view, for learning never really ends. But in this day and age much of our focus is student success on mandated test which is a short term goal with the underlying assumption that all students…
Rule #5: Repeat to Remember Back when I was a doctoral candidate (never defended dissertation, a long story for another time) I studied constructivism. The dissertation was based on this theory. Sections of chapter 5 remind me of my studies. “The more handles on the door, the more access points were available for entrance†(pg 114). We are more apt to remember things if they are familiar to us or, can relate, connect to what we already know. We build…
Rule # 4: We don’t pay attention to boring things. Ironically I had trouble attending to this chapter. I was reading this at my parents’ home and was constantly distracted. This is not to say the chapter was boring, just illustrated to me that it was difficult to keep refocusing if there are many distractions around. As I read this chapter I was thinking of the many special education classrooms I have visited. Often these students have difficulty maintaining attention….
Rule #3 Every brain is wired differently. This I remember from my college days studying biology. If you play the violin, practice meditation, or speak many language, your brain will be different from others. I use to always associated the saying ‘use it or lose it.’ with brain development. Our brains are very pliable when we are young and that in some way we educate our selves out of various talents. I know that the brain has a tremendous growth…
Continuing logging my thoughts on Brain Rules I move on to Chapter 2: Survival, the brain evolved too. In the first chapter: exercise, it was noted that in our human past we were constantly on the move. We exercised and this movement was key to our brains development it also meant we were good at thinking on our feet. Exercise leads to better brain function. This second chapter continues looking at our ancient past and how we, and our brain…
I have begun reading Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School, by John Medina. I have made it to chapter 8 but thought I should start writing down my thoughts on the various chapters. I am also participating in a Brain Rules discussion group that originated on Plurk. Brain Rules is a book that looks at 12 Rules, areas that scientist study about the brain. The book takes a look at what research says…