Equipping Teachers

Creating a Brain Friendly Learning Environment

Brain research is a subject that I will be covering in more depth as we continue with our programs. I have a book on brain research coming out later this year. On this program, I share some introductory ideas on setting up a brain friendly learning environment. Brain tips and teaching strategies are often interwoven at this level. Here are just a few ideas to get you started if this concept is new to you.

• Create a classroom that is structured, safe and secure where students feel loved. Research shows that fear and unnecessary stress inhibit learning.

• Connections make us smarter. Connect the information to the student’s life experiences as well as previous learning. The more connections you make, the stronger the memory patterns form in the brain.

• Hydration helps the brain. Allow for water bottles in the classroom or water breaks through out the day.

• Playing classical music quietly when your students arrive in the morning establishes order in the brain. Arts enhance academic learning!

• Take a learning styles approach and allow for multiple modalities. Enrich your learning environment with age appropriate visuals and hands on learning activities.

• Cross lateral activities (when we cross the midline of the brain) help integrate information in the two hemispheres of the brain.

• If possible, use natural light as well as natural lighting bulbs instead of the old fluorescent lighting.

I welcome your ideas because we can learn so much from each other!

“…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

Equipping Educators

“Far away there in the sunshine are my higher aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” Louisa May Alcott

As teachers, your attitudes often set the atmosphere for your classroom. Ask yourself, “What are your aspirations for this New Year?” Are you looking for ways to help your students shine in ’09? Or are you starting to give up hope, the lights are dimming, the shades are coming down and you are checking out for this semester.

The Bible tells us in John 15 that we can abide in Jesus for He is the vine, God the Father is the gardener, and we are the branches. When we abide in Him-remain in Him, He says He will remains in us. Isn’t that reassuring to know that we don’t have to do it in our own strength? He wants us to do our work in His strength and power, if we would only remain in Him. That is the secret of the Christian walk and yet we continue to grunt, struggle and try to do things in our own strength.

As we begin this new year of teaching in His power, it will help us to affirm our students, and to acknowledge their best efforts because we see them through His lens. Our new president says “Yes, we can.” One teacher had a good idea. She had all her students write everything they could not do on pieces of paper. They folded them, put them in a box and took them outside and had an “I CAN’T FUNERAL”. They buried the “I CAN’T ATTITUDES” and brought in the “I CAN ATTITUDES” for the New Year. Now that’s a change in attitude! That’s affirmation! And that will change the atmosphere in your classroom.

Dear teachers, I want to affirm you as you begin this New Year. Your task is not an easy one. If you love your students and your ‘job’, you often bring work home at night and on the week-ends. You struggle to balance your personal life with your professional responsibilities. I often say to teachers tongue-in-cheek “You may be over-worked, but at least you’re under-paid.” For many, it may not be that far from the truth. But rest assured, the Lord knows what you are doing and you’re being paid in eternal bucks because what you do impacts lives for eternity. Who knows where the seeds you plant today will bear fruit tomorrow, but dear teachers, they will bear fruit.

Our next programs will be on:

B: Creating a BRAIN Friendly Learning Environment
C: Handling the BIG “C”s― the Things That Aren’t On Your Teaching
Job Description:

• COUNSELING Issues
• CONFLICT Resolution
• CRITICAL Parents

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