Brain-based learning

Dr. Fritz Mengert, NeruoEpistemologist, consulted with a previous school district I worked in years ago. This was an amazing opportunity to learn from his experience and knowledge of how the brain functions and what it needs to succeed within the classroom. He provided a wealth of information for educators and parents within our district. Because I have seen life-changing outcomes within the classroom when these principles of brain-based learning were applied, I am eager to share this with you as well.  My plan is to highlight specific aspects throughout the blog on my posts. For this page, I will provide the functions of the brain and some suggestions he shared with us throughout our collaboration within the classroom.  Again, its all thanks to Dr. Mengert’s dedication and research that he has provided and shared with selected schools throughout our country.

Here are a few basic constructs of the brain:

#1 : The brain retains information that it uses. Provide students with the opportunity to use “new” information with the hour that it is given. Taking a test is not using the information, using the information would require multiple application exercises everyday.

#2: The brain is 97% water. Children require 20-45 ounces per day for the body and brain to function properly. If the water it needs is not provided, fluids will be extracted from the body’s major muscle groups.  Muscles then become sore and stiff even though they have not performed strenuous activities.

#3: The brain will only learn in cycles.  The cycles are dependent upon the student’s age. The brain will learn, go off task, then return to learning. Approximate cycles are:

Age	On task	Then cycles out for	Then cycles back for
4-6 years	6-8 minutes	2-3 minutes	6-8 minutes
6-12 years	12 minutes	4-5 minutes	12 minutes
12-20 years	18 minutes	6-8 minutes	18 minutes
20 years +	12 minutes	4-5 minutes	12 minutes

·      Work with this cycle by telling them what your going to teach, then teach it, then repeat what you just taught.

·      Another way to work with the cycle is to provide breaks for movement. Moving around after the brain takes in information  is very useful for memory.

#4: Brains acquire new information through all 5 physical senses and through their sixth sense: emotion. When students are emotionally-comfortable within the classroom, learning will occur. If the classroom is exciting visually, teachers may not be gaining the full potential of each student’s abilities.  Brains take in all aspects of the room during instruction and less attention is placed upon the teacher’s instruction when opportunities are given to look at posters and bright lights. (Lighting should be soft and decorations should be sparse.)

 #5: In brain development, language precedes thought. Words are fuel for the brain. Without vocabulary, students are less capable of thought and much less capable of acquiring and retaining new information. A goal of the teacher and parents should be to expand this vocabulary everyday.

#6: Certain foods increase the brain’s functionality. Eating red grapes every day enhances the ability to acquire and remember. Drinking orange juice every day provides a steady supply of glucose to the brain, which helps preserve its functionality.

#7: The brain operates on a use it or lose it basis.