Today my class was featured in an article in The Edmond Sun. The reporter discussed our growing class brain in her article. This has prompted questions from other interested teachers, so I’ve decided to give an update. The Edmond Sun article is here: Students Give Thumbs Up for Brain-Based Teaching.
The Beginning of the Class Brain |
The Brain
Earlier this school year I was inspired by one of my BrainSMART classes to create a lesson on metacognition. I did a post about the lesson here: metacognition lesson. In that lesson, students twisted pipe cleaners together to represent related concepts and subjects. Next the pipe cleaners were connected to show how information connects in the brain. It became our class brain! Our brain has continued to grow all year. Students love it!
The Update
Some things I have learned:
- · I connect the new axons to the brain myself. The more complex the brain gets, the more difficult it is for 2nd graders to get into it. Upper-grade students might not have this issue.
- · I write the labels myself to help me keep track of things.
- · I write the label on both sides of the small paper so it can be seen from more than one viewpoint. That becomes very important later as the brain gets more complex!
- · Hang the brain low enough where students can interact with it, in a location with no regular traffic.
The Result
The brain today. It is difficult to see the complexity. |
To add to the fun, former students of mine come by frequently to see the brain grow. They are intrigued by the connections and beg to make their own.
Finally
This metacognition lesson continues to be wildly successful. This has provided a fun way to review and solidify learning all year.