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.
I love this lesson! Very cool representation of how learning is connected in our brains. Love the idea that the kids revisit their learning by following the connections!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea - we speak to connections all the time when reading - when doing math, science, social studies...this would make the connections more visual for them. I'm willing to bet they'll keep those connections because of the class brain! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are a genius! WOW!!!! Love how you made this so concrete and creative.
ReplyDeleteWow Melissa, thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat an extraordinary way to inspire a love of learning in children! You've given your students a precious gift that will take them wherever they want to go in life. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I love that this teaches kids the concept of tying new information into something they already know. This is a great study skill for them to add to their tool kit. Bravo! Have saved this link to come back to in the future.
ReplyDeleteLove how the brain model shows interconnectedness and that ideas and concepts can and do relate to other ideas off topic. Great for demonstrating generalizations across topics too.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, it's given me lots of good ideas for teaching my English classes, so you have an award waiting for you at www.duncaninkuantan.blogspot.com. You will find the Stylish Blogger Award image on the 'About Me' page.
ReplyDeleteThank you Duncan!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome lesson. You are my kind of teacher! We do a lot with metacognition (thinking about thinking) at our school. I can't wait to dive deeper into your blog. I hope that I can learn more!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Esswein
http://smith5thgradeblog.wordpress.com/
I love this lesson. Since I am such a visual person and my class is composed of mostly ELL students this will be a great way to introduce metacognition. I teach kindergarten (TEACH UP) what would you suggest would be a great starting point with my little ones. Thank you in advance for your help. Hillary
ReplyDeleteHi Hillary,
ReplyDeleteI would start with the school because it is something they all have in common. From there you could connect to friends, family, and school content. I hope that helps!
Diane
I love this lesson. I would love to incorporate this into my classroom. The brain intends to grow as it should, where is the brain located in the classroom?
ReplyDeleteIt is hanging from the wall at the side of the classroom. :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely amazing! I'm excited at the idea of trying it...even though I somehow have to convert it to an online experience for my struggling readers! ANY ideas or advice gladly welcomed!
ReplyDelete