Teaching children reading and math is more effective when teachers use core teaching strategies which apply brain science to support learning.
At Teacher Support Force you will find brain-appropriate techniques and strategies which I have developed and used for applying brain science in the classroom with my own students for the past 33 years.
The brain learns best when it feels safe.
Because this is so important, I have included detailed information about creating an effective learning environment by lowering stress and limiting distractions in the classroom. Giving attention to this aspect of teaching children reading and math matters to the brain so please think seriously about providing a brain-friendly place where your children can learn more easily.
Art, music, drama, and movement can improve and enhance learning.
There are many ways to integrate the aesthetics into the curriculum. Not only do they support learning, but they are also critically important for children who are right-brained (and most often left-handed.) Drawing, singing, acting, and dancing should all be part of the learning process. Kids love these activities - and so do their brains!
Problems with memory and focus can be treated.
Often problems with memory and focus prevent children from being as successful as they could be. There are brain-appropriate strategies for helping children improve in these areas as well, especially children with ADHD.
Language is necessary for thought.
Children need language, and that means they need to be learning words - LOTS of words! Most experts agree that they need to learn at least 1000 each school year! The creation and use of word walls in both reading and math can help deliver these words to kids.
Here you will find lots of information about how to build them and how to use them to improve vocabulary with sight word games, songs, and activities.
Math is a language
Feb 03, 16 03:15 PM
You've been working hard, and here it is - already February! But will the children remember what they've been taught? Here are some suggestions which might help improve memory.
Jan 13, 16 12:00 AM
When building fluency, there really is nothing like Readers Theater - and not just in reading! Soon we will be creating scripts telling the story of Princess Perimeter who is unable to walk into the c…
Jan 06, 16 07:28 AM
Now that students have built a sight vocabulary, it is time to build fluency. Here are some ideas which may help.
LET THE FORCE BE WITH YOU
Thank you for your dedication to our nation's children. At a time when legislators and society in general seem to place little value on our profession, please know that you are making a difference every time you walk into your classroom.
It is my hope that you will find the suggestions found in these pages helpful as you meet the challenges of another school year.
It is my way of saying "thank you" for all that you do.
Want to know the best thing you can do to help your children succeed this school year? It's pretty simple, really.
Just make sure that your kiddos:
That's it! What a difference it would make if every child came to school with these needs met!
Want to read more about brain science and learning? These resources provide a wealth of dependable information in a variety of formats.
Smartphone or Ipad
Zite – short for “Zeitgeist” (the spirit of our times)– matches stories to your personal interests then delivers articles to your smartphone or tablet. The more you read, the more closely it is able to tailor the content to your interests.
www.dana.org– The Dana Foundation is a private organization which funds brain research and maintains an excellent website of recent findings.
Brain Pickings – These articles, delivered by email, are meant to “enrich your mental pool of resources and empower you to combine them into original concepts that are stronger, smarter, richer, deeper and more impactful.”
LET THE FORCE BE WITH YOU