FOUNDATIONS: Early Childhood as a
Building Block for Later Learning
Professional Learning Camp – J.I. Presentation
Sept. 2011
Connecting…
“That’s Me!”
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Statement
If/when a statement pertains to you, jump up
and yell,
“That’s me!”
Right to pass
Quick Elbow Partner Chat…
1.
2.
3.
Did this energizer help
you feel more or less
comfortable in the
room?
How might you be
able to use this activity
with Junior or
Intermediate
students?
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 Brainstem
The “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…
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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
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Experienceexpectant learning
Experiencedependant learning
The Importance of Brain Plasticity and
Cortical Complexity
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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
Neglected
Child
Healthy
Child
Brain stems
Other Periods of Significant Brain
Development
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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
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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
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To recap…
1.
2.
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Basic brain
structure
Brain development
– genetics and
environment
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
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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:
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A novel study
Math Concepts
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Physical Education
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Considerations For Teaching
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Learners need a wide range of experiences
Teach concepts and skills many times and in
many different ways
Teach for deep understanding:
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Connect learning
Integrate learning across strands
Questions/Comments/Reflections
Good Luck This Year!