Brookline Spark:
Educational Neuroscience and
Implications for our Classrooms
To improve your thinking, move.
John Medina, author of Brain Rules
Parking Lot
(Please hand in at end)
• Questions/Comments
• Feedback on this teaching strategy
• Ideas/Suggestions
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video?id
=7287548
Getting Kids Moving In School
Ways to incorporate exercise in the classroom
1. TABATA - Interval Exercise
Key is to raise heart rate to 60% of max
20 seconds on, 10 seconds rest
Repeat 3-8 times
www.speedbagforum.com/timer
2. Did you know that performing bursts of jumps is an
immediate mood enhancer?
3. Use the stairs nearby
4. Create lessons that increase movement
(Snowball Activity- will explain later)
HUNTER GATHERERS
Our early ancestors predominately consisted of hunter-gatherer types ensuring the
“Running Man” as a standard of fitness for their survival. If you did not run, you
did not eat. Individuals who could out-run & out-plan their peers would survive.
Lawrence tabata….
with your very own PE teachers!
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfo2RLN6
BgM&feature=plcp
What Happens When We
Exercise?
The Prefrontal Cortex
Major Role in Executive Function
•
EXERCISE particularly affects our
Executive Function
– Planning
– Organization
– Initiate or delay a
response
– Consequence evaluation
– Learning from mistakes
– Maintain the focus
– Working Memory
•
Dysfunction in these areas leads to
disruption in the organization and
control of behavior
http://www.driesen.com/prefrontal_cortex.htm
Fitness, Hippocampus Size, and Memory
• Kids who were fit and who
had better memory, also had
larger hippocampi
•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]
A Scientific Rationale
Biological effect of physical
activity on the brain:
Associated
physiological changes:
Increased cerebral capillary growth
Improved attention
Increased blood flow
Improved information processing,
storage, and retrieval
Increased oxygenation
Enhanced production of neurotrophins (a
family of proteins that induce the survival,
development, and function of neurons)
Neurogenesis-development of new brain
cells (neurons)
Enhanced neurotransmitters (transmit
signals from a neuron to a target cell across
a synapse).
Enhanced coping and positive
affect
Reduced sensations of craving &
pain
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.
Better school attendance.
Fewer disciplinary incidents. The research looked at the number of
incidents involving drugs, alcohol, violence and truancy.
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 in class. 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
Grade 7
Grade 9
CST E-LA Score
360
350
340
330
320
310
300
290
0
1
2
3
4
5
Number of Fitness Standards Achieved
*California Standards Test
Source: California Physical Fitness Test, 2004 Results, Calif. Dept. of Ed., April 2005
6
2004 Scores in Math by Number of Fitness Standards
Grade 5 – 371,198 Students
Grade 7 – 366,278 Students
Grade 9 – 63,028 Students**
CST Math Score
Grade 5
Grade 7
Grade 9
370
360
350
340
330
320
310
300
290
280
0
1
2
3
4
5
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
6
Dr. James Levine keeps a 1 mph pace on his
treadmill while checking his e-mail, at the Mayo
Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota
High Intensity Interval Training
Recommendations
20 sec run in place
10 sec stop
4 sets completed
before Physics
MCAS 2011
Buch, L. J. (2007). Take it slow - and fast. The Denver Post.
Physical
Activity
Academic
Performance
Physical
Education
Cognitive Skills
Recess
Attitudes
Classroom
Activity
Academic
Behaviors
Extracurricular
Activities
Academic
Achievement
Why would you add activity?
• To use as a teaching strategy to get students ready to learn!
• Sitting and listening for too long can put parts of the brain to
sleep
• Wake up your students’ brains so they will be:
– ready to absorb and retain information
– alert and ready to do their best work
• Data shows that the brain works better and makes more
connections when movement is included
• Movement can aid learning and memory retention
• Exercise improves cognitive performance
WHY NOT?
WHEN to ADD MOVEMENT
• Designate Times (The more the better!)
–
–
–
–
MORNING AND AFTERNOON
When you notice low energy
Upon arrival to class (bell ringer, “to do” activity)
Between lesson components (transition times)
• To reinforce content ideas - Make the review into an active game
• To break up long periods of sitting
• Be consistent and the kids will know what is expected and look
forward to it. (Include in daily schedule on board)
• Space is not an issue
• Take time for cool down (2 deep breaths, release slowly)
• When finished, say “Now you’re ready to learn.”
• Remember: Research shows that adding physical activity breaks
does NOT have any negative impact on students’ academic
performance.
Resources for Teachers
1. Lawrence Spark Resources (from PE/PTO)
2. PSB Portal on First Class 
Curriculum and Program Resources 
Spark Resources
THE REVOLUTION!
Lawrence Meetings of the Future!!
NEXT UP:
Examples of integrating content and activity:
Snowball Review Activity
Math Division (Classroom clip)
Go to designated grade level area
(Find sticky poster paper: K-2, 3-5, 6-8)
In Groups:
Brainstorm/share ideas that work and create list
Use ideas and resources as you plan for the fall
Now… it’s time to go get your exercise!
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
• RTSG Neuroscience Consultants for sharing slides
(neuroscience and related studies)
• Rick Rogers for offering faculty meeting time
• YOU for your attention today and consideration to
using this teaching strategy!