How Kinesthetic Learning Improves Student Understanding Presented by Craig Higgins

Warm Up Quick and easy way to get the blood flowing and the brain working! Name of Activity: Space Jam Grade Level: K-3 Formation: Standing at desks Equipment: none

SPARK Case Study THE REVOLUTIONARY NEW SCIENCE OF EXERCISE AND THE BRAIN by John J. Ratey, MD Naperville School District 203 Zero Hour PE – requires 45 minutes of physical activity before school begins. Competing against themselves Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 38 countries – over 230,000 students 99% of students took test Scored 1st in Science Scored 6th in Math

Exercise: Improves Learning Decreases: Compensates the Aging Process Stress Anxiety Depression Attention Deficit Addiction Hormonal Changes Compensates the Aging Process

Brain Functions Plasticity – The more you use your brain the stronger and more flexible it becomes. Neuron – Transmit information throughout the body. Synapse – The connection between neurons. Caused by a chemical reaction Neurotransmitters – Carries signals between neurons and other cells in your body. Serotonin - Prozac Norepinphrine Dopamine - Ritalin

Making Connections

Priming the Brain Three ways exercise optimizes the brain function. Ready to learn – improves attention and motivation. Creates a micro environment by releasing neurotransmitters. Promotes new brain cells Hippocampus – memory station Neurogenesis – (Birth of neurons) is the process by which neurons are generated. The brain is created for movement. Inactivity kills the brain: “Don’t use it, you lose it.”

Looking at the Numbers According to the U Looking at the Numbers According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Variables in Classroom Activities Total # of studies Positive None Negative Cognitive Skills and Attitudes 11 2 9 Attention 1 Spatial skills 4 3 Memory Verbal Motor Ability Mood Academic Behavior Classroom Behavior Academic Achievement 8 5 Achievement Test Scores Total 20 12

Three Dimensions of the Brain Focus Dimension Attention Intelligence Cerebellum Brain Stem Centering Dimension Emotional Intelligence Thalamus Hypothalamus Pituitary Gland Laterality Dimension Informational Intelligence Cerebral Cortex

Attention Intelligence First to develop Seeing, participating, anticipating, comprehending Controls breathing and heart rate Visual skills Controls access to higher reasoning Receives all information from senses

Centering Dimension Second to develop Feeling, stabilizing, organizing Helps convert short term memory to long term Generates pleasure and anxiety responses Releases hormones Fight or Flight Sense of smell

Informational Intelligence Third to develop, not fully developed until the age of 8 Thinking, processing, communicating Interprets all senses Allows us to form complex memory, thought, and reason Language Expression Logics

Cross-Lateral Movement Crossing over – using both sides of your brain Improving academics Math – left side of the brain Spelling/Reading – both sides of your brain Up/Down – CENTERING Emotions Hormones Side/Side – LATERALITY Academics – crossing your mid-line Front/Back – FOCUS Memory Concentration

Brain Gym Activity Lazy 8

Let Us Put Our Brains Together At your table discuss strategies and activities you use in your classroom to promote Kinesthetic learning. Discuss how exercise has improved your overall wellbeing.

Questions Remember I am not a Neuroscientist.

Homework Identify three different resources that use brain based activities. Using the same resources PRINT ten activities or lessons you could use in your classroom.