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FOUNDATIONS: Early Childhood as a Building Block for Later Learning Professional Learning Camp – J.I. Presentation Sept. 2011
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FOUNDATIONS: Early Childhood as a Building Block for Later Learning
Professional Learning Camp – J.I. Presentation Sept. 2011
Connecting…
“That’s Me!”
Statement
If/when a statement pertains to you, jump up and yell,
“That’s me!” Right to pass
Quick Elbow Partner Chat…
1. Did this energizer help you feel more or less comfortable in the room?
2. How might you be able to use this activity with Junior or Intermediate students?
3. Why do you think connection or reconnection activities are important?
Today…
We’re going to begin with early brain development, and then move to how
this impacts the teaching and learning of Junior & Intermediate students
Brain Research Is Meeting Education at a Rapid Pace
The Physiology of the Brain
The Cerebellum
The BrainstemThe “Old” or “Reptilian” Brain
The Cerebrum - The “New” Brain
The Temporal Lobe
The Parietal Lobe
The Occipital Lobe
The Frontal Lobe
Quick Elbow Partner Chat…
Knowing about the late maturity of the pre-frontal cortex, what implications does this have for our work with adolescents and teens?
Implications…
Limbic system (old brain) matures before pre-frontal cortex
Adolescents and teens exhibit…
Poor judgment Impulsivity Inability to think of the
consequences of their actions
Emotional outbursts Increased need for
structure and guidance
The Developing Brain…
The Genetic Factor
The Developing Brain…
The Environmental
Factor
Experience-expectant learning
Experience-dependant learning
The Importance of Brain Plasticity and Cortical Complexity
Plasticity: brain’s capacity
to change
Cortical complexity: number of synapses (neuron connections)
Understanding Neurons and Neural Pathways… use it or lose it!
Temporal lobes
Brain stems
Healthy Child
Neglected Child
Other Periods of Significant Brain Development
Ages 6 through puberty
Most growth in temporal & parietal lobes but some in pre-frontal cortex too
Language, spatial relations
Optimal period for development of integrative & executive functioning – increased myelination
Two Important Areas in Regard to Language Skill Development:
Left Hemisphere
The Development of Oral Language Skills is Critical
Students enter school with varied oral language skills - different neural pathways between Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area
TV and video gaming should be limited
To recap…
1. Basic brain structure
2. Brain development – genetics and environment
3. Importance of neural complexity
But, how does the brain learn a new concept or skill?
The Cerebrum
The Brain’s Hemispheres
Learning to Ride a Bike….
1. 2.
3.
Quick Small Group Chat…Given what we have learned
this morning, let’s imagine this is the first day of school and you are standing in front of your Grade 9 class. You have never met any of these students before.
What do you already know about these learners?
What will you need to consider in your teaching?
Learners Arrive in Our Classrooms with Different Brains
Genetic factors Environmental factors We have no control over who walks through our doors
Students are not all starting at the same developmental point regardless of age/grade
Assessment is critical
Considerations For Teaching
Learning moves from the big picture to the details.
Examples: A novel study Math Concepts
Physical Education
Considerations For Teaching
Learners need a wide range of experiences
Teach concepts and skills many times and in many different ways
Teach for deep understanding: Connect learning Integrate learning across strands
Questions/Comments/Reflections
Good Luck This Year!
