Resources
Vocabulary Cartoons
Sam, Max, and Bryan Burchers
 Vocabulary Cartoons consists of both
rhymes and humorous cartoons that employ
proven mnemonic techniques
into the vocabulary learning
experience. All mnemonics
are based on association, the
idea being to associate what
you are trying to remember
with something you already
know
Awesome Hands-on Activities for
Teaching Literary Elements
Susan Van Zile
This book provides multiple
ways in which students
can understand and
interpret novels, short
stories, folk tales, and
myths through engaging
activities.
Teaching Visual Literacy
Nancy Frey, Douglas Fisher
This book was conceived
as a means for examining
visual literacy. Multiple
contributors provide
background information
on the subject, describe ways
in which they use visual literacy
tools, and give the reader ideas on
how to apply these tools in the classroom.
Visual Literacy
Learn to See. See to learn.
Lynell Burmark
Verbal and visual literacy
are the cornerstones of
communication in the 21st
century. This book
outlines the first steps
in becoming a teacher
of visual learning.
Eight Ways of Knowing
David Lazear
 This book provides numerous
activities that allow students
to engage in their learning
process.
Logical/Mathematical
Intelligence
Visual/ Spatial
Intelligence
Verbal/Linguistic
Intelligence
Intrapersonal
Intelligence
Interpersonal
Intelligence
Bodily/Kinesthetic
Intelligence
Musical/Rhythmic
Intelligence
Naturalistic
Intelligence
The Dana Foundation
www.dana.org
Tons of free books, webcasts, podcasts, and
information on the brain.
Sign up for free brain news articles and
periodicals to be mailed to you.
Arts Education in the News (a newspaper
that collects and reprints news articles
citing the effective use of Arts in
Education).
A User's Guide to the Brain: Perception,
Attention, and the Four Theaters of the
Brain
By John L Ratey
Brain information
presented in a easy to
understand language.
Your Brain At Work: Learning How You
Learn Best
www.yourbrainatwork.org
Excellent website that gives you information
on how the brain learns. Also, discover
how you personally learn best.
Connecting Brain Research with
Effective Teaching
Mariale M. Hardiman
 A book divided into three parts.
It begins with a description of brain anatomy,
important findings of current brain research, and the braintargeted teaching model. Each model component is
described with analysis and practical applications. Finally,
field-tested learning units based on the brain-targeted
teaching model are included. The book serves as a
launching point for true learning that must emerge from
experience.
http://www.braintargetedteaching.org/
sampleunits.hml
This site includes sample units from
Roland Park Elementary/Middle School
and Kansas State University along with a
template for developing your own learning
units. Sample units are across the
curriculum at varied grade levels. An
overview of brain targets and answers to
frequent questions are included, along
with a downloadable brochure and
PowerPoint presentation.
Download brochure available free
www.braintargetedteaching.org/products.html
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Connecting Brain Research with Effective Teaching:
The Brain-Targeted Teaching Model
Dr. Mariale M. Hardiman
Arts Integration through Brain Research and
Effective Instruction
BT-1 How can teachers create an emotional climate
that encourages a sense of industry and competence?
BT-2 How can the physical environment help accomplish
learning goals?
BT-3 How can we use our content standards to design “bigpicture” activities of content and concepts?
BT-4 What artful strategies teach and reinforce learning so
that students attain true mastery of the objectives?
BT-5 What artful strategies help to extend and apply
learning?
BT-6 How do we evaluate learning?
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With its comprehensive approach to education, the BrainTargeted Teaching Model is receiving national recognition.
Dr. Mariale Hardiman has presented her model at national
conferences such as Harvard’s Learning and the Brain
Conference, Yale’s 35th Annual Symposium of the Comer
Child Study Center, and the University of Connecticut’s
Symposium for Success. Recently appointed as the Assistant
Dean of Urban School Partnerships at The Johns Hopkins
University, Dr. Hardiman has also served as a principal,
assistant principal, department chair, teacher, and professional
development specialist for more than thirty years in the
Baltimore City Public School System. As the principal of
Roland Park Elementary/Middle School since 1993, Dr.
Hardiman
led the school to its designation as a Blue Ribbon School of
Excellence.
“Brain-targeted teaching promotes collaboration among
teachers, supports arts integration in all content areas,
and allows for deeper learning through hands-on
experiential encounters with concepts.”
- Clare Grizzard,
Arts Integration Specialist at a Baltimore City
Elementary/Middle School.
For more information, see www.braintargetedteaching.org
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WHAT EVERY TEACHER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE
Brain-Targeted Teaching Model
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What is the Brain-Targeted Teaching Model?
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The Brain Targeted Teaching Model provides teachers with a
format for using research in the neurosciences as well as
research–based instructional practices to guide them in
planning, implementing and assessing a sound program of
instruction.
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A key component of the model is the integration of the arts,
which fosters the development of skills, content, and concepts.
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The BTT model makes teaching and learning not only
more effective, but also more engaging, purposeful, and
long lasting.
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Six Targets
Setting the emotional climate for learning
Positive learning environment; eliminating factors that cause
stress
Emotional connection to teacher and content
Creating the physical learning environment
Use of novelty, order, and beauty
Appealing to the senses
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Designing the learning experience using “big picture”
concepts
Content Standards developed into concept maps/graphic
organizers
Teaching for the mastery of skills and processes
Arts integration
Repetition using multiple modalities and differentiation
Teaching for the extension of skills and knowledge through
“real world” application
Investigations and surveys
Building projects
Designing experiments
Evaluating learning continuously
Performance-based assessments
Scoring rubrics
Student reflections
For more information see
www.braintargetedteaching.org
Teaching Smarter with the Brain In
Focus
Sarah Armstrong
 Gives dozens of practices you can easily
incorporate into your lessons and the brain
research to back them up. This is a guide
to help students think more creatively, absorb information
quickly, and produce better work. The book shows how to
use lesson design, improve recall using nonverbal memory
systems, and energize the brain through movement, music,
and social interactions. Students obtain mastery while they
“do the work.”
Leave No Child Behind
James P. Comer
The Comer Process, a school and
system-wide intervention formulated
by Dr. James P. Comer, Maurice Falk
Professor of Child Psychiatry at the
Yale University School of Medicine's Child Study Center,
aims to bridge child psychiatry and education.
Of all the prominent educational reformers, only James
Comer talks about healthy child development as the
keynote to academic achievement and life success.
Dr. Comer uses a metaphor of six developmental
pathways to characterize the lines along which children
mature--physical, cognitive, psychological, language,
social, and ethical.
The Word in Play
Susan A. Katz and Judith A. Thomas
 Guide to teaching language arts through poetry, music,
and movement. Based on the authors' earlier text,
Teaching Creatively by Working the Word, c1992.
Includes new sample lessons and a new glossary. The
book states, “The classroom needs to be a place
of awe, where all things are possible, where
learning delights the senses, stimulates the
mind, and releases the body.”
WordAhead.com
A free site that provides a word list, word
of the day, and 787 vocabulary videos and
flash cards.
learnwordlist.com
Free vocabulary preparation site for GRE.
Can access other vocabulary from this site
as well. Also offers a word of the day.
Also:
http://www.freerice.com/index.php
(donates 10 grains of rice for each correct
answer through UN World Food Program)
http://ww.vocabulary.co.il/ (varied games)
www.flashcardexchange.com
A site that allows you to create unlimited
flashcards, share flashcards with friends
and students, study on-line, and play
memory. An enhanced membership can
be purchased for a one time fee of $19.95.
It allows multiple formats, export to Word
and Excel, Advance Study and Cram
Mode, and images and audio.
www.Education.com
 Articles on many topics, as well as learning activities for
pre-school to high school. Activities for middle and high
school can be searched by those levels.
 www.playkidsgames.wordwebvocabulary.com (pinball up
to 4th grade level and others)
 www.manythings.org/lulu/ (basic word to picture match)
 www.educationjlab.org/vocabhangman/index.html
(science vocabulary hangman-can add your vocabulary
words)
 http://www.gameaquarium.com/evocabulary.html
 www.vocabulary.com
http://dispatchnie.hotapplepie.wikispaces.net/file/list
http://nie.online.com and
other Newspaper in Education sites by newspaper
Columbus Dispatch site with video, quotes
of the day, word of the day, and other
activities.
Our students are not allowed access to
local news, so an option is to use material
from other newspapers and their NIE.
Many are available online.
How to Get Your Child to Love Reading
Esmé Raji Codell
 Although the cover dubs _How to Get Your Child to Love Reading_ a "Parent's Guide," this
book is a treasure trove for teachers, librarians, grandparents, anyone who cares about
children and books. It provides "activities, ideas, and inspiration for exploring everything in
the world through books." It is a valuable resource for nourishing juvenile readers, both the
reluctant and the ravenous.
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It includes over 3,000 titles recommended for children from birth through eighth grade. However, it doesn't stop
with mere recommendations.
After a section on reading to the very young, the book is organized by subject matter: social studies, math and
science, story books, etc. Esmé subdivides the broad categories, however, so that book lists have very specific
headings.
Because the categories are so specific, many books are listed simply by title and author. That is sufficient.
Sometimes Esmé adds just a word or two of description. For others, she provides sentence summaries and even
excerpts. She provides just enough information to whet our appetites.
Esmé includes dozens of articles: some on controversial subjects, some addressing questions about various
aspects of reading, a list of benefits of reading aloud, and recommended additional resources, many of them on
the Internet.
Appendices and indices round out the book. The appendices include Newbery and Caldecott Award honorees as
well as winners. Information about a specific book is easy to find since the books are triply indexed -- by title,
author, and subject. She also has written a delightful book about her first year teaching which will make you think
about brain based instructional strategies if you decide to read it.
http://www.ilispa.org/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=57
download PowerPoint selections related to reading from the Illinois
School Psychologists Association
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The following presentations (files include on the lower half of this page, and available for download) have been screened by a consortium committee to ensure adherence
with Flex principles.
They include:
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Five Big Areas of Reading (PPT) Part 1 ISPA 2007 Conference
Five Big Areas of Reading (PPT) Part 2 ISPA 2007 Workshop
Scientifically Based Reading Programs (PPT) Marcia L. Kosanovich, Ph.D.
Struggling Readers: What Works for Intermediate Level Student (PPT) presented by Dr. Joseph K. Torgesen
Implementing New Discoveries About Reading and Reading Instruction in a Coherent Reading Plan (PPT) presented by Dr. Joseph K. Torgesen
Effective Interventions for Older Students with Reading Disabilities: Lessons From Research (PPT) presented by Dr. Joseph K. Torgesen
Bringing It All Together: From Phonemic Awareness to Fluency (PPT) presented by Dr. Joseph K. Torgesen
Preventive and Remedial Interventions for Children with Reading Difficulties: Lessons from Research (PPT) presented by Dr. Joseph K. Torgesen
Scientific-based Reading Instruction (PPT) presented by Timothy Shanahan
Reading Rockets: Toolkit for School Psychologists (PPT) presented by Barbara Bole Williams Ph.D., Terry Molony Ed.S., and John Lestino, MA
Reading Disabilities: What Do We Know From Research? (PPT) presented by Jack M. Fletcher, Ph.D. 17 2007/3/19
CBM Oral Reading Fluency as a Predictor of Student Performance on Local and State High Stakes Tests (PPT) reviews the degree to which CBM data can predict
which students may be at risk of failing to meet standards on 'high stakes' local and state reading achievement tests. Presented by D. Sibley, Arlington Heights SD25
Conducting Reading Assessment that Informs Interventions (PPT) Explores need for assessments that inform interventions; defines different areas of reading
concern; presents tools for assessing and intervening in different area of reading concerns; highlights web resources available. Presented by: D.Sibley, Arlington Heights
SD25
An Overview of Curriculum-Based Evaluation-Reading (PPT) Presenters: S. Gallager & B. Curl (LADSE)
Reading Fluency (PPT) includes fluency definitions; research support for building fluency; effective, research based instructional materials, and more. Presented by
M.Stein, Univ. Washington
The Three Cs of Comprehension Instruction (PPT) Presenters: Isabel Beck & Margaret McKeown
Impacting Your School’s Reading Program: Through the Leadership of the District, School Principal and Reading Coach (PPT) Presenters: Julie Evans, Julie
York, Barbara Low, Linda Taylor, Cali Wright, and Debbie Connolly
Closing the Reading Gap for Struggling Readers in Middle and High School (PPT) Presented by Dr. Joseph K. Torgesen
Multiple Tiers of Instruction and Intervention: What it Will Take to Leave No Child Behind in Reading (PPT) presented by Dr. Joseph K. Torgesen
Using Data and Interventions to Leave No Child Behind: Methods for Younger and Older Students (PPT) presented by Dr. Joseph K. Torgesen
Implementing the 3-tier Reading Model (PPT) presented by Texas Education Agency
Multi-Tiered Reading Instruction: Linking General Education and Remedial Education (PPT) presented by Jack M. Fletcher 41 2006/12/21
Within a response to intervention (RtI) context, a 3-tiered model of research-based reading interventions using the five big areas of reading (PPT) This
presentation describes a 3-tiered reading intervention model. It includes a description of RtI, the legal parameters, a matrix for 3-tiered reading instruction, the 5 big areas
of reading, a standard protocol approach, and information about specific interventions. Presented by D105/LADSE
D105's Framework for Reading Interventions (PPT) presented by D105/LADSE
Five Big Areas of Reading Evidence/Research-Based Interventions K-8 (Word Document) presented by D105/LADSE
Matrix of Evidence/Research-Based Reading Interventions - Grades K-8 using the 5 Big Areas of Reading (Word Document) presented by D105/LADSE
Making Optimum Use of Early Literacy, CBM Oral Reading Fluency Data to Drive Instruction and Intervention Planning (PPT) Presented by D105/LAD SE
Working With English Language Learners
Answers to Teacher’s Top Ten Questions
Stephen Cary
 This book has a lot of great information and useful tips
that not only ELL teachers can use, but non-ELL
teachers as well. He has some great analogies that all
teachers should be able to understand and appreciate.
Administrators should be able to learn from these
techniques that real teachers are successfully using in
the classroom. Helpful chapters include how to make a
difficult textbook more readable and how to help
students build learning strategies.
Unlock the Einstein Inside:
Applying New Brain Science To Wake Up The Smart In Your Child
Dr. Ken Gibson with Kim Hanson and Tanya Mitchell
 Dr. Gibson introduces a new idea to the general
population: your child may be smart and still not perform
well in school. This is something many parents would
like to believe - now they have some support. But Gibson
goes beyond making parents feel better. He claims that
the skills needed to do better in school can be improved.
The book is written, at least in part, to promote a
franchised cognitive improvement center, but it has
additional value in that it can open the public eye to the
changing face of brain research.
Multiple Intelligences
Kristen Nicholson-Nelson
This book gives great suggestions for implementing a MI
classroom. The author includes suggested activities,
literature lists, and centers for each type of intelligence.
There are suggestions for arranging the classroom in
order to ensure a MI environment. The strategies for
projects and assessment are very useful. This book
includes many reproducibles for teachers to use for
planning and assessment, as well as questionnaires for
students and parents.
Environments for Learning
Does Your Classroom Support Student Success?
Eric Jensen
 There are many things you can change in your learning environment
to boost student success, from lighting and color choices to noise
level, seating, and classroom organization! Packed full of easy-touse strategies and cutting-edge research, this book walks you
through the classroom the way your students experience it—through
the senses. Learn how safety, ergonomics, and temperature affect
learning; lighting, color, and peripheral stimuli improve performance;
noise inhibits or encourages learning; toxic pollutants hinder
cognition; and why you should include plants in your learning
environment. Read about the “total learning environment” and
research on the startling relationship between school facilities and
student test scores. There is no such thing as a neutral environment:
Optimize your learning environment to optimize student
performance! (Part Theory, Part Practical) All Ages/ 61 pages
Brain Compatible Strategies
300 + Brain-Based Learning Activities
Eric Jensen
 2nd Edition of the Bestseller! 300+ easy-to-use, great-for-the-brain
learning activities
 Want to add some spice to your lesson plans? This revised edition
of Brain-Compatible Strategies is full of creative, ready-to-use ideas
to motivate, inspire, and encourage your students. If you are a
novice just getting started with brain-compatible teaching, or a
practiced veteran looking for ready-to-implement ideas, this book is
for you. It's 90% action steps and 10% background and theory. With
its plain-language instructions and easy-to-implement activities, this
resource will be one of your most thumbed-through references.
Applies to All ages (All Practical Applications), 95 pages
Music with the Brain in Mind
Eric Jensen
 Enhance Learning with Music
Compelling evidence supports the value of the musical arts in
school; now, you can bring this powerful tool into your classroom.
Music with the Brain in Mind translates the latest brain and music
research and provides practical strategies to help you integrate the
musical arts at all grade levels. With sections that address both
theory and classroom applications, you’ll find it easy to put the
science into practice and demonstrate its benefits immediately.
From a primer on how the body hears music to music’s impact on
stress levels, perceptual-motor skills, memory, and emotional
intelligence, you’ll find tips for choosing purposeful music and the
various benefits of different genres. There is no other book on the
market like this one. Part Theory, Part Practical / All Ages/ 132
pages
Music that can be purchased
jensenlearning.com (products)
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Item Price
Whistle While You Work - Download Only
Whistle While You Work, available as a collection of 19 MP3 files via download, is specially produced to activate the
serotonergic (serotonin) system. Serotonin is a common neurotransmitter that helps us feel pleasant and cheerful. Play this
music in the background when you'd like to reduce stress, but encourage productivity. All of these specially-produced
memorable selections are 100% soothing and easy-to-listen to audio gems. You'll get positive, enjoyable listening tracks that
boost learning and productivity. Your students will ask for these catchy tunes again and again. © 2002
Mozart Sonata in C Major (K330) (Allegro), Sonata for Two Pianos (K448) (Molto Allegro)
Vivaldi Spring (Four Seasons) (Movement #1)
J.S. Bach Orchestral Suite #1 in C Major (Courante, Gavotte, Forlane, Minuet, Bourree), Concerto #1 in G Major (Allegro #1,
Allegro #2, Allegro #3)
G.F. Handel Concerto #2 in F Major (Allegro, Allegro Ma Troppo), Concerto #11 in A Major (Allegro), Arrival of Queen of
Sheba, Water Music (Hornpipe, Bourree), Fireworks Music, Concerto #26 in D (Bourree, Allegro)
Listen to a sample of the music! Samples available online for both selections
$9.00
More! Whistle While You Work - Download Only
Like its predecessor, Whistle While You Work, this collection of classic compositions is specifically produced to activate the
serotonergic (serotonin) system. Play these carefully selected, 60 to 75 BPM tracks as background music during group
activities, while students are working on projects, or anytime you want to encourage a sense of accomplishment and well
being. Playing Time: 60 min. All Ages
The Top Tunes for Teaching
977 Song Titles and Practical Tools for Choosing the Right Music
Eric Jensen
Music is a powerful classroom tool that enhances
cognition, improves memory, energizes
sluggish learners, and makes lessons fun for
students of all ages. Inside these pages are
practical tips and suggestions, scientific
research that supports music’s beneficial
effects, and lists of songs—all personally
tested by Eric Jensen during his own trainings
and guaranteed to be a success. Choose the
right music every time! 80 pages (All Practical
Applications) All Ages
Learning with the Body in Mind
The Scientific Basis for Energizers, Movement, Play, Games, and Physical Education
Eric Jensen
Capitalize on the high energy that is natural to young
learners! Research suggests that movement activities
are an integral part of the learning process. From role
plays to relays, learning is better activated when the
body gets involved. Whether you’re an elementary
school teacher or a high school math instructor, you’ll
discover how to use movement to increase intrinsic
motivation, improve attitudes, strengthen memory, and
boost achievement in your classroom. This highly
readable book offers a valuable compendium of practical
strategies backed by clinical and classroom research for
engaging students at all levels.
Arts with the Brain in Mind
Eric Jensen
 How do the arts stack up as a major discipline? What is
their effect on the brain, learning, and human
development? How might schools best implement and
assess an arts program?" Eric Jensen answers these
questions--and more--in this book. To push for higher
standards of learning, many policymakers are eliminating
arts programs. To Jensen, that's a mistake. This book
presents the definitive case, based on what we know
about the brain and learning, for making arts a core part
of the basic curriculum and thoughtfully integrating them
into every subject.
http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/lessons.html
Incredible Art Department site
This site includes clip art; education;
curriculum; lesson plans; activities and
games; connections to math, science,
history, drama; cartooning; cultural
information; and resources. Just like its
name, it is an incredible site for arts
integration.