 Brain Fact
Aerobic exercise physically transforms our brains for peak performance. During exercise, chemicals (dopamine, norepinephrine and seratonin) are released in the brain which can improve a person's focus and attention for a long period after exercising. BDNF, another brain chemical, is also released. It acts like Miracle Gro as it encourages brain cells to sprout new connections which enhances a person's ability to learn.
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October/November Learning Tip
Everyone suffers from weak attention at some point during the course of a day. The good news is research has shown that exercise (as little as 20-30 minutes a day) at 50% - 70% of a person's maximum heart rate can increase attention for up to 3 hours immediately afterwards. Exercise is one of the most powerful tools to optimize brain function. So, to improve your attention and learning capacity, get moving! Download this month's learning tip and resources. |
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 A few alarming statistics.... - 30,000 schools (elementary schools included) in the US no longer offer recess during the regular school day
- Only one US state requires daily PE for grades K-12: Illinois
- The average child spends 8 hours a day using electronic media (including school and home)
- Only 36% of children get the doctor recommended amount of exercise each day
- In just 20 minutes of sitting, the blood pools in your "seat" and your feet
Easy ways to include movement in your day
- Stand while reading
- Walk and talk
- Sit on a therapy ball
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator
- Change location in the room when doing different tasks
- Get up and get a drink
- Do a one minute stretch
- Jog 5 minutes in place
- Play "hot potato" in groups to reinforce new information
- Do cross mid-line exercises
- Use fidget objects
How to measure your heart rate:
There are many formulas for measuring maximum heart rate, here is the simplest:
220 - age = maximum heart rate (men)
226 - age = maximum heart rate (women)
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that your pulse rate during moderate exercise should be 50% to 70% of your maximum pulse rate (which is 220 beats/minute minus your age). Subtract your age from 220 and multiply by 0.5 and 0.7 to find the lower and higher pulse range for moderate exercise. For example, to figure out the pulse rate for a 16-year-old, the equations would look like this: 220 -16 = 204. 204 X 0.5 = 102 and 204X 0.7=142.8. So the range would be 102 to 143 beats/minute with rounding for a 16-year-old. Resources to learn more about the role of movement in learning: |
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FREE Fall Student Success Seminars
September 13: Parents' Role in Homework:Fun, Fights or Forget It?September 27: Smooth Sailing or Choppy Waters: Why You Child May Struggle with Some Assignments and Not OthersOctober 4:Understanding and Remembering: The Role of Attention and Memory in LearningNovember 8: Do I Have to Go to School? The Role of Motivation in LearningDownload a flyerParents, teachers, students, community members welcome. Call (603) 298-6700 to Register. 1.5 hours of professional development credit offered The seminars will also air on the Upper Valley public access television channel CATV 10 starting Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 6 pm. A copy of each talk is available for purchase from CATV. for a nominal fee .
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CSS Fall and Winter Courses Announced
CSS will be running the three day Using Authentic Data to Engage Students (ND5040) 11/19-21, at CSS. ND5040 has a prerequisite. The two day Foundations of Neurodevelopmental Theory (ND5000) will also be offered December 4-5, in Concord, NH (no pre-requisite).
Visit www.centerforschoolsuccess.org for more information as well as course descriptions onThe Neurodevelopmental Approach to Teaching Masters and CAGS program CSS offers through a partnership with Plymouth State University. |
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CSS Courses Going On-Line
Starting Winter 2010, ND5000 (Foundations of Neurodevelopmental Theory) will be offered as an online option. CSS will offer the pilot version of the course at a significant discount thanks to a special arrangement with Plymouth State University. Learn moreVisit www.centerforschoolsuccess.org for more information as well as course descriptions onThe Neurodevelopmental Approach to Teaching Masters and CAGS program CSS offers through a partnership with Plymouth State University. |
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Upper Valley @ Work
Year 4 of the Upper Valley @ Work profiles are under way. This month meet Lori Hirshfield, Planning and Development Director. Upper Valley @ Work is a profile series highlighting local residents who use their unique strengths to better their lives and communities. The Upper Valley at Work campaign is intended to help give young people a sense of the options they may have to find meaningful employment in the Upper Valley area. The project is a collaboration with these partner organizations that are working together to strengthen our region. Upper Valley at Work partners are: Center for School Success, Upper Valley and Business Education Partnership, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation-Upper Valley Region, Upper Valley United Way and Vermont Community Foundation The profile series is published monthly in the Valley News and is available on the web.
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About the Center for School Success
The Center for School Success, located in West Lebanon, NH, is a non-profit organization that helps struggling students achieve measurable success in school and in life. CSS offers learning assessments (grade 2-college), professional development and outreach services. CSS services help students, their parents and teachers apply recent brain-based research findings to link how the student learns best with a plan for success.
Phone: (603) 298-6700 | |
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