Brookline Spark: Educational Neuroscience and Implications for our Classrooms

To improve your thinking, move.

John Medina, author of Brain Rules

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr HNkWJItR4 Build a Better Brain

One way to incorporate exercise in your classroom TABATA

Interval Exercise 20 seconds on, 10 seconds rest Repeat 3-8 times

www.speedbagforum.com/timer

What Happens When We Exercise?

THIS IS YOUR BRAIN.

THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON EXERCISE!

Fitness, Hippocampus Size, and Memory

Kids who were fit and who had better memory, also had larger hippocampii Fitness increases neurons, connectivity- 28 fit 21 non
Chaddock L, Erickson KI, Prakash RS, Kim JS, Voss MW, Vanpatter M, Pontifex MB, Raine LB, Konkel A, Hillman CH, Cohen NJ, Kramer AF. A neuroimaging investigation of the association between aerobic fitness, hippocampal volume and memory performance in preadolescent children. Brain Res. 2010 Aug 21. [Epub ahead of print]

Exercise promotes hippocampus blood flow in humans

Age 21-45, below average fitness 12 weeks: 4X/wk aerobic training; VO2-max

Rey auditory verbal learning test

Pereira et al., PNAS 2007

Neuroscience

P300 Brain Processing Speed

Latency and Amplitude

Fit Brains: 1) Process Stimuli Faster 2) Have Greater Cognitive Flexibility 3) Take in More Detail 4) More Accurate in Response

A Scientific Rationale
Biological effect of physical activity on the brain:
Increased cerebral capillary growth Increased blood flow Increased oxygenation Enhanced production of neurotrophins (a
family of proteins that induce the survival, development, and function of neurons)

Associated physiological changes:

Improved attention Improved information processing, storage, and retrieval Enhanced coping and positive affect Reduced sensations of craving & pain

Neurogenesis-development of new brain cells (neurons) Enhanced neurotransmitters (transmit signals from a neuron to a target cell across a synapse).

Exercise Influences Brain Function On Multiple Levels:

Chemical/Hormones/Growth Factors

Brain Structure

Electrical Activity

Texas Cooper Study 2,600,000

Significant correlations were found between physical fitness and various indicators of academic achievement. The study shows that:
Higher levels of fitness are associated with better academic performance. Higher performance independent of any demographics: ethnicity, race, income, school. Higher levels of fitness were associated with better school attendance. Higher levels of fitness at a school were also associated with fewer disciplinary incidents. The research looked at the number of incidents involving drugs, alcohol, violence and truancy.

Sweden - The Proof

Love to measure and keep records 1.2 million boys born 1950-76; finished H.S. 15 and entered military 18. 270,000 brothers, 1300 identical twins Tested cardio (ergonometric) muscle (knee, elbow, hand) and cognitive appraisal-both at 15 and 18. Those that improved cardio fitness improved IQ and smarts. Not as much with muscle strength. Also those that improved went on to be better educated, report more satisfaction with life, and higher socio-economic standing.
"We believe the present results provide scientific support for educational policies to maintain or increase physical education in school curricula as a means to stem the growing trend toward a sedentary lifestyle, which is accompanied by an increased risk for diseases and perhaps intellectual and academic underachievement," write researchers Maria Aberg and colleagues of the University of Gothenburg in Gothenburg, Sweden in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2009 Nov 30. [Epub ahead of print]

Brothers, identical twins showed the same association-those that improved their physical fitness improved their brain power. Its not just about the genes.

Public Magnet School Grades 4-8 Approximately 120 children All on school breakfast and lunch programs. Program: Added 40 minutes of exercise in the morning Exercise was performed in gym in station format. Activities included: Basketball Dance Dance Revolution Double Dutch" jump roping Pogo stick jumping 1st Semester 2006 - 2007 Outcomes: Disciplinary Referrals Year 2006 2007 Referrals: 661 353 Suspensions: 71 24 Teachers reported : Students are more focused. Students are more focused during the MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) testing as well. Teachers observed: Students testing immediately after morning activities did better meeting or exceeding individual growth targets than middle schoolers taking the test late morning or in the afternoon.

2004 Scores in English by Number of Fitness Standards004

CST* Scores in English-Language Arts by Number of Fitness Standards
Grade 5 371,198 Students Grade 7 366,278 Students Grade 9 298,910 Students

Grade 5
360

Grade 7

Grade 9

CST E-LA Score

350 340 330 320 310 300 290 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Number of Fitness Standards Achieved

*California Standards Test
Source: California Physical Fitness Test, 2004 Results, Calif. Dept. of Ed., April 2005

2004 Scores in Math by Number of Fitness Standards

Grade 5 371,198 Students Grade 7 366,278 Students Grade 9 63,028 Students**

Grade 5
370 360 350 340 330 320 310 300 290 280 0 1 2

Grade 7

Grade 9

CST Math Score

Number of Fitness Standards Achieved

*California Standards Test ** Grade 9 Students who took CST geometry
Source: California Physical Fitness Test, 2004 Results, Calif. Dept. of Ed., April 2005

WHY would you do this?

Use as a strategy to get students ready to learn! Wake up your students brains so they will be ready to absorb and retain information Activate parts of their brains so that they will be alert and ready to do their best work Sitting and listening for too long can put parts of the brain to sleep Engage kinesthetic + visual learners

WHY would you do this?

Data has shown that the brain works better and makes more connections when movement is included. Movement can aid learning and memory retention. Incorporating brief physical activity breaks may contribute to students overall levels of physical health. Exercise improves cognitive performance. WHY NOT?

WHEN to ADD MOVEMENT

Designate Times - Write it on your daily schedule
After morning meeting Beginning, middle, end of class Between academic subjects

When switching from subject to subject (transition times) To reinforce content ideas - Make the review into an active game Break up long periods of sitting The more the better! Be consistent and the kids will know what is expected and look forward to it. Space is not an issue Take time for cool down Remember: Research shows that adding physical activity breaks do NOT have any negative impact on students academic performance

Let s hear it from the classroom teachers!!

Video of Gr. 2 Classrooms (Pierce) Baker Gr. 5 (use of Polar Active watches) Susan Balogh, Student Testimonials Others?

Physical Activity
Physical Education Recess Classroom Activity Extracurricular Activities

Academic Performance
Cognitive Skills Attitudes Academic Behaviors Academic Achievement

Resources for Teachers

FitDecks Deskercise website (Google: The Lean Team Deskercises)

Cardio Cards (being developed by Brookline teachers) Spark folder to be placed above Baker Conference http://www.johnratey.com/newsite/index.html

Books: Spark (in your library) by John J. Ratey Brain Rules by John Messina The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning Through Movement by Traci Lengel and Mike Kuczala

THE REVOLUTION!

Baker Meetings of the Future!!

CHALK TALK
Ideas for when/how you can incorporate a movement break in your class. Questions/Comments Feedback on this teaching strategy

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

RTSG Neuroscience Consultants for sharing slides (science and studies) Amanda Grindstaff and Mike Blanchard, Presenters Pierce staff and students (for activity video and sharing their practice) Susan Balogh, Kelly Nelson, Kyle Williams, Tricia Laham, Dale Cramer for help in preparation Mary Brown for offering faculty meeting time