Engaging 'tweens and Teens: A Brain-Compatible Approach to Reaching Middle and High School Students

This book is designed to help teachers of middle and secondary students understand the basic neurobiology behind adolescent behaviors, and apply that understanding to change and invigorate their teaching practice. As we know, student engagement plays a critical role in student learning. Based on what science and psychology have discovered about the brain in the past two decades, author Raleigh Philp shows teachers how to achieve engagement by: . Recognizing and being able to respond to the emotional states teens commonly experience . Frequently changing students' physiological states to prevent them from getting bored or mentally checking out during instruction . Incorporating technologies teens use into classroom instruction and discussion, such as cell phones, weblogs, wikis, digital cameras, iPods, and Sidekicks . Enlivening class with music students will respond to, from classical to pop to hip hop The book also discusses the effects of stress on learning, and explores common teen risk-taking behaviours, such as violence and substance abuse. The final chapter addresses academic performance-enhancing drugs students are increasingly taking in response to the pressures of standardized testing. Teachers' awareness of, and ability to respond to, this problem is of growing importance. Teachers will gain an understand of the changes taking place in the teen brain and be ready to adapt teaching so it is more intentional and appropriate, resulting in meaningful learning experiences for teenage students. Raleigh Philp has taught at every level of public and private school from grade school through graduate school. Currently, he is a consultant for the California State Department of Education's health related programs, and an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, teaching science and health methods courses in the graduate school of education. Over the last decade, Raleigh has devoted his academic efforts to studying the literature on brain research. He is primarily interested in the application of neuroscience to learning. He is committed to helping educators better understand adolescent brain development so they may focus their instruction to reach students with varied learning methods. Raleigh has presented brain-compatible learning workshops and been a keynote speaker at universities, county offices of education, and school districts throughout California, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming. He is a past recipient of the California Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, as well as a Fulbright grant. Preface Acknowledgments About the Author 1. What We Know About the Brain and Learning: Integrating Neuroscience, Psychology, and Education 2. Mapping the Brain: New Findings in Brain Research 3. Environmental and Genetic Effects on the Developing Brain 4. The Brain During Adolescence: Making Sense of Technology, Media, Social Status, and Education 5. Making Material Meaningful: Connecting Emotions and Learning 6. Stress and the Brain-Body Connection: Restoring Balance in the Classroom 7. Managing Students' Physiological States for Engaged Learning 8. Using Music Effectively to Enhance Learning 9. This is Your Brain On...: Understanding and Curbing Adolescent Substance Abuse 10. Drugs That Enhance Student Achievement: Good Kids Making Bad Decisions Conclusion References Index