Amazing Science: BRAIN BASED STRATEGIES

BRAIN BASED STRATEGIES

Brain-Based Education is the purposeful engagement of strategies that apply to how our brain works in the context of education. Brain based learning is considered a comprehensive approach to instruction. Brain based education offers a biologically driven classroom structure that corresponds to the functions of the human brain at different developmental levels. The practice engages the entire body to enhance the learning process.

Core Principles Of Brain Based Learning:

Caine and Caine (1991) developed twelve principles that apply what we know about the function of the brain to teaching and learning.

The principles are:

i. The brain is a parallel processor, meaning it can perform several activities at once,

like tasting and smelling.

ii. Learning engages the whole physiology.

iii. The search for meaning is innate.

iv. The search for meaning comes through patterning.

v. Emotions are critical to patterning.

vi. The brain processes wholes and parts simultaneously.

vii. Learning involves both focused attention and peripheral perception.

viii. Learning involves both conscious and unconscious processes.

ix. We have two types of memory: spatial and rote.

x. We understand best when facts are embedded in natural, spatial memory.

xi. Learning is enhanced by challenge and inhibited by threat.

I did many brain based strategies in the school. here are some of it.

1. Brain needs Oxygen

Brain activities are a great way to get students interested in learning. Physical exercise is great for ones body’s health, but it also can help keep the brain active and sharp. Just like our body, our brain also needs sufficient oxygen and exercise does that well.

2. 5-4-3-2-1

This is one of the great activities which can be used at the start or in between the lesson. This physical activity specially can be used in last two lectures in the afternoon where in students get bored and feels lazy.

In this activity teacher shows 5 different steps for each number. Then teacher calls out number from 1 to 5 and students have to stand in that particular pose.

Then teacher calls out any number in random and all the students have to do those steps which are mentioned for that number.

3. Draw it

Visual learning is very important for many children to better picture and to understand concepts. For students, drawing makes their learning easier, more efficient and more fun. Drawing help kids visualize their learning.

Students are divided into groups one member from each group has to give a scientific concept which the student from other group has to draw and the other group members have to guess the concept.

4. Boggle

Boggle is the classic word game where you try to find words in a 4x4 or 5x5 grid of letters. Boggle is a very fun game to play.

Distribute 1 copy of one of the boggle game pages to each player. Start timing for 2 minutes and players will turn over their page and start looking for words.

Players can write down words they find in the grid that match the following rules:

The letters can be made by using any words present in the grid.
The word doesn't have to appear in a straight line. It can be tangled around.
Each letter in the word must uniquely appear in the grid. For example, if the word is ERASE, the letter E must appear twice in the grid. The word can't just loop back and re-use the same E.
Words must be at least 3 letters long
Words cannot be a proper noun, such as a name or place.
Less than 3 letters= 0 pts (invalid boggle word)
3 letters = 1 pt
4 letters = 2 pts
5 letters = 3 pts
6 letters = 4 pts
7 letters = 5 pts
8 letters = 6 Pts, and so on….