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Build the Brain the Common Core Way
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Build the Brain the Common Core Way

  • Pamela Nevills - Educational Consultant and Teacher Educator, Southern California

Foreword by Justin Cunningham



April 2014 | 144 pages | Corwin

Brain-compatible learning techniques to help you motivate and challenge your students!

Boldly take hold of the new Common Core expectations with this fresh, innovative resource full of practical tips from international educational expert Pamela Nevills. Find out what’s new, what’s expected, and how understanding the connection between neuroscience and deep learning is the key to Common Core success.

Nevills provides cutting-edge, easy to implement ideas that beg to be used immediately. Learn to:

  • Skillfully integrate the standards with current educational practices
  • Understand the science behind Common Core requirements
  • Plan innovative and creative activities to help students learn about learning
  • Master teacher-lead, student-centered 21st Century Learning activities  

Includes school vignettes, sample lessons, K–12 links, and vivid brain imagery that diagram how deep learning happens. Revolutionize your teaching and prepare students for success in school and beyond with this encouraging, easy-to-read guide!


Build the Brain the Common Core Way is an outstanding resource for teachers who are implementing our new standards.  It provides practical examples that demonstrate how to turn the classroom into a student-centered learning environment where high expectations abound, fostering higher levels of student achievement.”
—Melissa Miller, Science/History Instructor
Randall G. Lynch Middle School, Farmington, AR

“There are examples not only of ways to integrate brain-based pedagogy and the Common Core Standards, but also examples from across disciplines. The author doesn't just focus on one area of expertise, but integrates core and elective curriculum into the fabric of each chapter.”
—Deanna Brunlinger, Science Teacher
Elkhorn Area High School, WI


 
Preface
 
1. Teaching Can Be Like This
Different Expectations

 
Real School Examples

 
School Organization and Student Learning

 
Another Strong Example

 
A Brilliant Time to be in Education

 
 
2. Teaching that Looks Different
Common Core - What is so New?

 
Prepare Teachers

 
How Teachers Learn to Do What They Do

 
Learning to Learn

 
School Revolution Supported by Brain Science

 
Premium School Practices

 
The Traditional Lesson Plan

 
A New Lesson Plan Design

 
A Different Teacher Evaluation

 
Trying Something Different

 
It Matters How Students Feel about School

 
 
3. The Common Core Explained in Common Terms
Neuroscience Provides Answers

 
Some Basic Information

 
Know the Players

 
Look at Assessments

 
Common Core Assessment Designers

 
Other Organizations Have Their Say

 
Deeper Learning Defined

 
Next-Generation Assessments and Bloom's Taxonomy

 
The Common Core Standards in Common Language

 
Common Core for Literacy

 
Deeper Learning for ELA

 
What Literacy Standards do not Address

 
Common Core for Mathematics

 
Next Generation Science Standards

 
More Scientists, Engineers, and Mathematicians Needed

 
Questionable Reviews for NGSS

 
What is Still Needed?

 
 
4. How Learning Happens
Learning About Learning

 
Basic Brain Structures

 
The Site of Working Memory

 
The Sensory Input Systems

 
Filtering Systems

 
Neuroplasticity

 
Stimulating Classrooms

 
Memory Systems

 
Procedural Memory

 
Semantic Memory

 
Other Memory and Drill Practices

 
Deep Learning and Inner Connectivity

 
 
5. So Many Ways to Learn: What Teachers are Doing
A Bold Approach to Lesson Planning

 
Planning Questions

 
 
6. So Many Ways to Learn: What Students Do
Build in Brain Practices

 
Experience Concentrating

 
The Brain - A Pattern Seeking Organ

 
Rhyming, Rhythms, and Chants

 
Thinking Maps

 
Expanding Questions

 
Leading and Guiding Questions

 
Self Monitoring and Metacognition

 
A Study and Practice Episode

 
Thinking with the Brains CEO

 
Developing Critical Thinkers

 
Critical Thinking Skill Development through Metacognition

 
Use of Media Technology

 
One Last Useful Idea

 
 
7. Powerful Staff Development for Adult Learners
Staff Development, As Usual

 
Lost Impact from Training

 
Look to Teachers first

 
Research and Professional Development

 
Core Professional Development Practices

 
Staff Development, Responding to the Common Core

 
Teachers as Learners

 
Teachers as Leaders among their Peers

 
Teachers as Leaders for Student Learning

 
Close the Gap

 
 
8. Systems Change
Education Valued

 
Learning is Performance

 
Leadership and Student Learning

 
Soft, Definite Systems Change

 
What Districts are Doing

 
Focus on Student Learning

 
Include all Stakeholders

 
District Roadmap of Support

 
Social Relationships and Educational Change

 
Support Resources

 
Still to be Resolved

 
Problems and Answers

 
 
9. Explain the Learning Brain
 
References

"Here's where teachers go to get the real information about how the common core will change the classroom.  Lesson plans, evaluations, classroom environment, and understanding how neuroscience all play a part in this revolutionary educational change."

Amanda McKee, High School Mathematics Instructor
Johnsonville High School, Johnsonville, SC

"Build the Brain – learning the common core way is an outstanding resource for teachers who are implementing our new standards.  It provides practical examples of turning your classroom into a student-centered learning environment where high expectations abound, fostering higher levels of student achievement."

Melissa Miller, Science/History Instructor
Randall G Lynch Middle School, Farmington, AR

"There are not only examples of ways to integrate brain based pedagogy and the common core standards, but examples from across disciplines. The author doesn't just focus on her area of expertise, but integrates core and elective curriculum into the fabric of each chapter."

Deanna Brunlinger, NBCT Science Teacher, Department Chair
Elkhorn Area High School, Elkhorn, WI

For instructors

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ISBN: 9781483364582

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