Making the Making the Connections!:Connections!:

Brain-Based Learning and Brain-Based Learning and Coordinated School Health Coordinated School Health

Objectives Objectives

Discuss brain research and review how Discuss brain research and review how the brain processes informationthe brain processes information

Discuss how coordinated school health Discuss how coordinated school health is connected with brain-based learning is connected with brain-based learning

Discuss how we can use this research Discuss how we can use this research to improve student achievement and to improve student achievement and promote coordinated school healthpromote coordinated school health

What is brain-based What is brain-based learning?learning?

Attempt to match Attempt to match the research on the research on how the brain how the brain processes processes information with information with the strategies and the strategies and processes we processes we utilize when utilize when working with working with individualsindividuals

Coordinated School Health Coordinated School Health in in

West Grand School District West Grand School District

a. Health Coalition a. Health Coalition

b. Dental Vanb. Dental Van

c. Medical Vanc. Medical Van

d. Community Liaison d. Community Liaison

e. Early Childhood e. Early Childhood

f. Incredible Years f. Incredible Years

g. Sun Safety g. Sun Safety

h. Physical Education h. Physical Education

i. Staff Wellness i. Staff Wellness

j. Nutrition j. Nutrition

k. Mental health k. Mental health

l. Reduced academic time l. Reduced academic time

How do we learn?How do we learn?

Learning is a physiological Learning is a physiological process consisting of highly process consisting of highly complicated bio-electrical complicated bio-electrical and chemical interactions. and chemical interactions.

We must address the holistic We must address the holistic nature of the child to be nature of the child to be successful.successful.

Coordinated School Health Coordinated School Health provides an excellent model provides an excellent model for this approach. for this approach.

Reading ScoresReading Scores

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Writing ScoresWriting Scores

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Math ScoresMath Scores

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Results: PALS TestResults: PALS Test

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Results: PALS TestingResults: PALS Testing

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Results: Third Grade SOLsResults: Third Grade SOLs

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LA Math SS Science

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Results: Combined 3Results: Combined 3rdrd and and 55thth

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LA Math SS Science

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Results: SOLs 3Results: SOLs 3rdrd to 5 to 5thth

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LA Math SS Science

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Results: Stanford IX Results: Stanford IX

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LA Math SS Science Reading

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Mechanics should understand cars.Mechanics should understand cars.Attorneys should understand the law.Attorneys should understand the law.Generals should understand the art of war.Generals should understand the art of war.Professionals should understand the brain.Professionals should understand the brain.

Neurons: Key to LearningNeurons: Key to Learning

SynapsesSynapses

Connection: Connection: Electrical/ChemicalElectrical/Chemical

Dendrites (80%)Dendrites (80%) Nucleus (20%)Nucleus (20%) Action PotentialAction Potential

* calculates input* calculates input

* releases NT* releases NT Receptors Receptors

* specific shapes* specific shapes

Bioelectrical Process Bioelectrical Process

a. Ions of powera. Ions of power

Sodium Sodium + +

Potassium Potassium ++

Calcium Calcium + +

Chloride Chloride --

c. Produces 25 c. Produces 25 wattswatts

Frontal Lobe: Prefrontal Frontal Lobe: Prefrontal

Controls thoughtControls thought PlanningPlanning Decision makingDecision making Emotions Emotions Rational thinkingRational thinking Creativity Creativity Makes us humanMakes us human

Neurotransmitters:Neurotransmitters:

Name Name Function/Purpose Function/Purpose

Histamine Histamine Activates allergic reaction, runny nose and watery eyesActivates allergic reaction, runny nose and watery eyes

Glutamate Glutamate Memory/learning, calm, focusedMemory/learning, calm, focused

PhenylalaninePhenylalanine Feelings of bliss, infatuation, happy, love, chocolateFeelings of bliss, infatuation, happy, love, chocolate

Dopamine Dopamine Pleasure, control conscious motor activity, relaxation, Pleasure, control conscious motor activity, relaxation, alertnessalertness

Epinephrine Epinephrine Adrenaline: Fight/Flight – heart rate, respiratory, bloodAdrenaline: Fight/Flight – heart rate, respiratory, blood

PhenylethylamiPhenylethylaminene

Attention, low in ADD and high in people with insomnia, Attention, low in ADD and high in people with insomnia, autisticautistic

AngiotensinAngiotensin Thirst: kidney conserves water, makes you feel thirstyThirst: kidney conserves water, makes you feel thirsty

Cortisol Cortisol Inhibits digestive, focused, alert, muscles tense, clotting, Inhibits digestive, focused, alert, muscles tense, clotting,

Melatonin Melatonin Rest and recuperation, anti-aging hormoneRest and recuperation, anti-aging hormone

Connection 1:Connection 1:Health Services Health Services

Brain is designed for survivalBrain is designed for survival

a. Survival is primary (basic a. Survival is primary (basic needs)needs)

Brain will sacrifice all, including higher Brain will sacrifice all, including higher order thinking skills, to survive and order thinking skills, to survive and meet basic needs.meet basic needs.

b. Safetyb. Safetyc. Food c. Food (3% of Weight/20% of Energy)(3% of Weight/20% of Energy)

d. Sense of Belonging d. Sense of Belonging

e. Pace of Change e. Pace of Change

f. Brain is designed for survivalf. Brain is designed for survival

g. Prioritize functions to aid g. Prioritize functions to aid survivalsurvival

h. Dental/vision needs h. Dental/vision needs

i. Prime time - neurological growthi. Prime time - neurological growth

Connection 2: Connection 2: Family/Community Family/Community

Involvement Involvement

Early Childhood is Important Time Early Childhood is Important Time a. 15 million neurons per houra. 15 million neurons per hour

b. 17b. 17thth week of pregnancy week of pregnancy *One billion neurons - more than adult*One billion neurons - more than adult

c. Neuron growth c. Neuron growth * 8 months 1,000 trillion synapses* 8 months 1,000 trillion synapses

* 10 years 500 trillion synapses* 10 years 500 trillion synapses d. 13% are prematured. 13% are premature

e. 4e. 4thth week – folic acid week – folic acid

f. Cell migration/elaborationf. Cell migration/elaborationg. First year 60% of nutritiong. First year 60% of nutritionh. Apoptosis h. Apoptosis

i. Non-programmed neurons i. Non-programmed neurons

j. Importance of sleepj. Importance of sleep

Connection 3: Connection 3: Family/Community Family/Community

Involvement Involvement

Humans Need Humans Need Contact/PurposeContact/Purpose

a. Reduces stress by 8%a. Reduces stress by 8%

b. Isolation/smokingb. Isolation/smoking

c. Isolation/physical painc. Isolation/physical pain

d. Need 12 positive commentsd. Need 12 positive comments

e. Laugher creates T cellse. Laugher creates T cells

f. Talking - oxygen/blood f. Talking - oxygen/blood

g. Designed to live 120 yearsg. Designed to live 120 years

h. Impacts weight h. Impacts weight

i. Brain needs purposei. Brain needs purpose

* Retirement/spouse* Retirement/spouse

Connection 4:Connection 4:Staff Wellness Staff Wellness

Need to Take Care of Need to Take Care of YourselfYourself

a. Reduce Stressa. Reduce Stressb. 20% greenb. 20% greenc. 60% red c. 60% red d. Allostatic loadd. Allostatic loade. Stress = Trauma e. Stress = Trauma f. Difficult work environmentf. Difficult work environment * 28 % Scream* 28 % Scream

* 14% Hurt someone* 14% Hurt someone* 27% have no close friend* 27% have no close friend

g. Poor Dietg. Poor Dieth. Martyrdom Syndromeh. Martyrdom Syndromei. Isolationi. Isolation

6:006:00 12:0012:00 6:006:00

Connection 5:Connection 5:Understanding StressUnderstanding Stress

Human Stress is Self-Human Stress is Self-ImposedImposed

a. Reconfigures brain function a. Reconfigures brain function b. Stops non-essential b. Stops non-essential

functionsfunctionsc. Increases blood sugarc. Increases blood sugard. Activates immune systemd. Activates immune systeme. Activates clottinge. Activates clottingf. Activates tunnel visionf. Activates tunnel visiong. Prevents multi-tasking g. Prevents multi-tasking h. Creates “flashbulb” memoryh. Creates “flashbulb” memoryh. Creates a “gas and brake”h. Creates a “gas and brake”i. Activates hypothalamus i. Activates hypothalamus j. Inhibits morality/ethicsj. Inhibits morality/ethics

Connection 6:Connection 6:Counseling/Activity/Nutrition/WellnesCounseling/Activity/Nutrition/Wellnes

ss

Impact of Stress Impact of Stress

a. Telomeresa. Telomeres* 1,700 at birth/300 at age 70 * 1,700 at birth/300 at age 70 * Lost 9 – 17 years * Lost 9 – 17 years

b. Control is importantb. Control is importantc. Electrical/rat experiment c. Electrical/rat experiment d. Reconfigures the braind. Reconfigures the brain

* Hippocampus (keys)* Hippocampus (keys)* Shuts down prefrontal * Shuts down prefrontal

e. Neurogenesis reduced e. Neurogenesis reduced 30% 30%

f. Inactive kids - more stressf. Inactive kids - more stress

Ways to Reduce Stress Ways to Reduce Stress

a. Physical activity a. Physical activity b. Family interaction b. Family interaction c. Healthier diets c. Healthier diets d. Healthier school d. Healthier school

environmentenvironmente. Counseling e. Counseling f. Health Services f. Health Services g. Health education g. Health education h. Community involvement h. Community involvement i. Staff wellness i. Staff wellness

Connection 7:Connection 7:Physical Physical

Education/Activity Education/Activity

Humans Need Movement Humans Need Movement a. Satisfies need to move/tumblea. Satisfies need to move/tumble

b. Allows cognitive processes (RAS)b. Allows cognitive processes (RAS)

c. Promotes inhibitory controlsc. Promotes inhibitory controlsd. Stimulates neuron growth/lifed. Stimulates neuron growth/lifee. Increases blood flow/oxygene. Increases blood flow/oxygenf. Provides neurotropinsf. Provides neurotropinsg. Increases serotonin/dopamineg. Increases serotonin/dopamineh. Trains quick response & recoveryh. Trains quick response & recoveryi. Strengthens basal gangliai. Strengthens basal gangliaj. Stimulates BDNF, LPT, NGFj. Stimulates BDNF, LPT, NGFd. Reverses impact of safety d. Reverses impact of safety (60hrs)(60hrs)

e. Creates memory anchors e. Creates memory anchors (typing) (typing)

Connection 8:Connection 8:Healthy School Healthy School Environment Environment

Learn/Act Subconsciously Learn/Act Subconsciously a. Motivated by subconscious a. Motivated by subconscious

learning learning

b. Rely on non-verbalsb. Rely on non-verbals

c. Rely on facial expressions (33 c. Rely on facial expressions (33 ms)ms)

d. Utilize peptides d. Utilize peptides

* Affective communication* Affective communication

* Alter physical elements * Alter physical elements

f. Act on prejudices and bias f. Act on prejudices and bias

g. Focus on at-risk times/places g. Focus on at-risk times/places

h. Act on mirror neuronsh. Act on mirror neuronsi. Cerebellum i. Cerebellum (automated (automated

responses/driving) responses/driving)

Connection 9: Connection 9: Healthy School Healthy School Environment Environment

Physical Environment Physical Environment ImpactsImpacts

a. Lighting a. Lighting

b. Temperature b. Temperature

c. Plantsc. Plants

d. Aromasd. Aromas

e. Ionizatione. Ionization

f. Humidityf. Humidity

g. Ventilationg. Ventilation

h. Access to waterh. Access to water

i. Sense of safety i. Sense of safety

j. Connection with staff j. Connection with staff membermember

Connection 10:Connection 10:Counseling/PsychologicCounseling/Psychologic

al al

Importance of Amygdala Importance of Amygdala

a. Controls alarm systema. Controls alarm system

b. Controls emotionsb. Controls emotions

c. Evaluates dangerc. Evaluates danger

d. Alters perceptiond. Alters perception

e. Dictates behavior e. Dictates behavior

f. Makes unconscious decisions f. Makes unconscious decisions

g. Impacts genders differently g. Impacts genders differently * Male (Testosterone/Motor)* Male (Testosterone/Motor)

* Female (Estrogen/Language)* Female (Estrogen/Language)

Connection 11:Connection 11:Nutrition/Health Nutrition/Health

Education Education

Nutrition is Important Nutrition is Important a. Variances in pH/neuron a. Variances in pH/neuron

polaritypolarity

b. Tyrosine and Tryptophan b. Tyrosine and Tryptophan

c. Consumatory prowlingc. Consumatory prowling

d. Vitamin A, C, E, & Bd. Vitamin A, C, E, & B

e. Breakfast e. Breakfast

f. At-risk diets f. At-risk diets

g. Many meal dietsg. Many meal diets

h. Availability of food h. Availability of food

i. Food outside home (20%)i. Food outside home (20%)

j. Calories from drinks (20%)j. Calories from drinks (20%)

Connection 12:Connection 12:Family Family

Involvement/Counseling Involvement/Counseling

Teenagers/Perfect Storm Teenagers/Perfect Storm a. Puberty occurring earlier a. Puberty occurring earlier b. React to pheromones b. React to pheromones c. Females are influenced c. Females are influenced

by: by: * Oxytocin * Oxytocin (bonding) (bonding)* Serotonin * Serotonin (attachment)(attachment)

d. Males are influenced by:d. Males are influenced by:* Testosterone (competition)* Testosterone (competition)* Vasopressin (dominance) * Vasopressin (dominance)

e. Strong need to connecte. Strong need to connect

Connection 13:Connection 13:Health ServicesHealth Services

Teens are vulnerable to drugsTeens are vulnerable to drugsa. Act as neurotransmittersa. Act as neurotransmittersb. Have a decreased sensationb. Have a decreased sensationc. Use reduces dopamine c. Use reduces dopamine

* need more drug to replace * need more drug to replace dopaminedopamine

d. Alcohol destroys glutamated. Alcohol destroys glutamatee. Alter brain formatione. Alter brain formationf. Destroys neurons f. Destroys neurons

h. Increases morbidity/mortalityh. Increases morbidity/mortality* 200/300% increase* 200/300% increase

c. Increases in alcohol c. Increases in alcohol dependencedependence* Ages 18-20 (12%)* Ages 18-20 (12%)

d. Increases in marijuana used. Increases in marijuana use* Age 15* Age 15

Connection 14:Connection 14:Family Involvement Family Involvement

Brain Brain Difference Difference Impact Impact

Entire Brain Entire Brain Female brain is more active Female brain is more active Utilizes brain more Utilizes brain more fully/effectively fully/effectively

Cerebral CortexCerebral Cortex Female more activeFemale more active Multitask more effectively Multitask more effectively

Corpus Corpus Callosum Callosum

Female 20% larger Female 20% larger Multitask and use both Multitask and use both hemispheres hemispheres

Basal Ganglia Basal Ganglia Female more active Female more active Better thoughts and actions Better thoughts and actions

Hippocampus Hippocampus Female more active matures Female more active matures fasterfaster

Better memory and attention to Better memory and attention to detaildetail

Hypothalamus Hypothalamus Males more dense and active Males more dense and active More constant sex drives (13% More constant sex drives (13% more)more)

Occipital Lobe Occipital Lobe Females more active greater Females more active greater scopescope

Males narrow/females holistic Males narrow/females holistic

Temporal Lobe Temporal Lobe Males 12% smaller Males 12% smaller Give short and clear directions Give short and clear directions

Frontal LobeFrontal Lobe Female more active matures Female more active matures fasterfaster

Morals, values, decisions, Morals, values, decisions, planningplanning

ContactContact

Jeff PerryJeff PerryPO Box 8179PO Box 8179

Wise VA 24293Wise VA 24293

276-328-8017276-328-8017

jperry@wise.k12.va.usjperry@wise.k12.va.us