Did you know that the best time to learn something new is during the first two hours after you wake up and the last two hours before you go to sleep? Did you know that stressing key points in color can boost memory retention by 25 percent? Author Laura Erlauer has studied brain research and applied it to classroom teaching in a way that is both intuitive and scientific. Synthesizing recent research exploring how the brain works, she explains how students' emotions and stress affect their ability to learn, how the physical classroom environment influences learning, and what forms of assessment work best. Drawing on her experience as a teacher and principal, Erlauer summarizes current brain research and shows how teachers can use this knowledge in the classroom every day. The book covers a wide variety of topics, including * The most effective use of collaborative learning; * Simple ways to keep the attention of your students for the whole class period; * Keys to involving students in decision making to increase their engagement and achievement; * Ways to make lesson content relevant to motivate students; and * Things every teacher can to do limit stress in the classroom and school environment. Each chapter provides examples from real classrooms, showing how the research can be used to improve student learning. The ideas and strategies presented are from a variety of grade levels and subject areas and can be used immediately to create a classroom where students can reach their full potential.

Learn how to teach like a pro and have fun, too! The more you know about the brains of your students, the better you can be at your profession. Brain-based teaching gives you the tools to boost cognitive functioning, decrease discipline issues, increase graduation rates, and foster the joy of learning. This innovative, new edition of the bestselling Brain-Based Learning by Eric Jensen and master teacher and trainer Liesl McConchie provides an up-to-date, evidence-based learning approach that reveals how the brain naturally learns best in school. Based on findings from neuroscience, biology, and psychology, you will find: In-depth, relevant insights about the impact of relationships, the senses, movement, and emotions on learning Savvy strategies for creating a high-quality learning environment, complete with strategies for self-care Teaching tools to motivate struggling students and help them succeed that can be implemented immediately This rejuvenated classic with its easy-to-use format remains the guide to transforming your classroom into an academic, social, and emotional success story.

Designing Brain Compatible Learning synthesizes brain research into a set of teaching tools and strategies for integrating thinking skills, cooperative learning, graphic organizers, and authentic assessment into any classroom. This edition features: step-by-step strategies for teaching concepts, skills, and content to all age groups and learning styles; a newly expanded section on standards-based lesson design and lesson planning; charts, diagrams, and other visual tools to reinforce learning; a collection of new planning templates and graphic organizers; and a glossary and bibliography.

What is brain-compatible teaching? It emphasizes teaching the way the brain learns naturally. Brain-compatible teaching takes what we know about the structures and functions of the brain and uses it to create "brain-friendly" instructional strategies and assessment practices. Brain-compatible teaching addresses multiple intelligences and learning styles. Focus is placed on the student as an individual. Lessons and assessments are structured in ways that allow every student to reach their full potential. Students are encouraged to draw on their background knowledge, linguistic and cultural experiences, and use these tools as life-long learners. When teaching and assessment practices reflect the myriad students in our classrooms today, success is inevitable. Brain-Compatible Differentiated Instruction for English Language Learners is written for teachers looking for solid instructional practices that work well with mainstream as well as English Language Learners (ELLs.) Drawing on the most current neuroscience research, the authors have give a theoretical overview of the twelve topics that contribute to successful brain-compatible teaching and learning and differentiating instruction for ELLs. The book then examines differentiating instruction and how to use such strategies as anchor activities and structures and provides sample lessons of each. Several examples are given to further illustrate aligning teaching with the standards. The book includes five 1-day lesson plans and two 5-day lesson units of activities that demonstrate sustained teaching. These are divided into topic areas and grade levels.

A bold, brain-based teaching approach to culturally responsive instruction To close the achievement gap, diverse classrooms need a proven framework for optimizing student engagement. Culturally responsive instruction has shown promise, but many teachers have struggled with its implementation—until now. In this book, Zaretta Hammond draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction. The book includes: Information on how one’s culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships Ten “key moves” to build students’ learner operating systems and prepare them to become independent learners Prompts for action and valuable self-reflection

As teaching strategies continue to change and evolve, and technology use in classrooms continues to increase, it is imperative that their impact on student learning is monitored and assessed. New practices are being developed to enhance students’ participation, especially in their own assessment, be it through peer-review, reflective assessment, the introduction of new technologies, or other novel solutions. Educators must remain up-to-date on the latest methods of evaluation and performance measurement techniques to ensure that their students excel. Learning and Performance Assessment: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications is a vital reference source that examines emerging perspectives on the theoretical and practical aspects of learning and performance-based assessment techniques and applications within educational settings. Highlighting a range of topics such as learning outcomes, assessment design, and peer assessment, this multi-volume book is ideally designed for educators, administrative officials, principals, deans, instructional designers, school boards, academicians, researchers, and education students seeking coverage on an educator’s role in evaluation design and analyses of evaluation methods and outcomes.

This introductory handbook also contains research on how the brain learns. The author covers topics such as the parts of the brain, what constitutes solid brain research, the differences between boy's and girl's brains, and what types of activities can build retention. Part one provides the grounding in the biology and current knowledge about the brain, part two covers Jensen's seven principals of brain-compatible learning, and part three applies these learnings to the classroom. --Book cover