Movement, exercise, and hydration

"I call exercise "Miracle Gro" for the brain.  Exercise keeps brain cells healthy in a way that playing chess and other highly cognitive activities do not."
~Dr. John Ratey

Research has shown how important exercise is in a child's Brain development.  Team 16 will be learning about this all year and will be participating in daily movement breaks several times a day.  I highly recommend that students bring a water bottle to school that they can leave on their desks.  Hydration is so important for a student to stay focused and engaged after lots of physical activity.

As some experts will say...."Exercise makes you smarter." Team 16 will explore and research this statement and come up with supporting details throughout the year.

Brain Fitness here we come!

Team 16- Weekly Specialist Schedule

Monday
Physical Education- wear sneakers (2:15-3:00)

Tuesday
Art (8:50-9:35)

Wednesday
Library/Technology(9:45-10:45)

Thursday
Music (10:30-11:15)

Friday- no specials

As a heads up, our first day of school is a Tuesday.  We have Art first thing.  We also have the last lunch this year.  We eat from 1:05- 1:30 so please bring a big healthy snack for the morning.  

ENGAGE MINDS INSPIRE DISCOVERY

Practicing Math facts or playing video games?

The answer is both!  Check out www.bigbrainz.com if you love to play video games AND you want to become an addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division master!

Timez Attack is a virtual video game that students can play and learn their math facts.
The best part is that there is a FREE home version available to download.  The program saves players information and keeps track of all the facts each student has mastered and which facts they need to practice.  If you are ready to have fun while learning your facts, try it today! 

"Cool math games are hard to find. Nearly all of them are simple little 2D games that don't actually teach math very vigorously. Here at Big Brainz, our goal is to make cool math games that are genuinely cool, but also do a brilliant job of teaching math.

The cool math games we have so far include multiplication, division, and now addition and subtraction. You'll have to try them to see how cool these games are, but don't be fooled by their spectacular entertainment. They're also the most rigorous instructors you'll ever find.

Massive research has already demonstrated all over the world that our multiplication games teach absolute mastery--blazing fast. Our newest products, division, addition and subtraction, are equally effective. Welcome to the next generation of truly cool math games!"

Are you a Multiplication Master yet...?

Back- to- School Shopping at the Brain Store!

http://www.marblesthebrainstore.com/

"We’re a one-of-a-kind retail store with a smart collection of hand-picked, expert-tested, certifiably fun ways to a healthier brain for all ages. The best part? Our stores are designed to let you roll up your sleeves and get a little brainy while you play games, solve puzzles, try out software and flip through books to find the right products for you and your noggin. Our team is chock-full of smart, outgoing people who are passionate about learning new things and creating a fun, interactive environment where customers can reach their brain’s fullest potential."

Does your child struggle with problem solving, working memory, processing speed, critical thinking, or attention?  Does your child like to play games?  If you answer yes to both questions, this is the store for you. 

 Families are always thinking about buying new clothes, lunch boxes, notebooks, pencils, glue sticks, markers, and backpacks to prepare for a new school year.  Consider thinking outside the box this year and buy new games, books, and software to help your child achieve a smarter, healthier, and playful brain.  The best thing is that even adults benefit from all of this brain training!

Click on the link to find a location near you or order online and shipping is free!

One of my favorites is a game called "Spot It."   What's yours?

 Happy shopping!  Your brain will thank you.

Right Brain ~ Left Brain ~ Whole Brain Pictures

The importance of Curiosity

“You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.“ ~Clay P. Bedford

The important thing is not to stop questioning… Never lose a holy curiosity. Albert Einstein

Curiosity is an important trait of a genius. I don’t think you can find an intellectual giant who is not a curious person. Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, they are all curious characters. Richard Feynman was especially known for his adventures which came from his curiosity.

But why is curiosity so important? Here are four reasons:

1. It makes your mind active instead of passiveCurious people always ask questions and search for answers in their minds. Their minds are always active. Since the mind is like a muscle which becomes stronger through continual exercise, the mental exercise caused by curiosity makes your mind stronger and stronger.
2. It makes your mind observant of new ideas
   When you are curious about something, your mind expects and anticipates new ideas related to it. When the ideas come they will soon be recognized. Without curiosity, the ideas may pass right in front of you and yet you miss them because your mind is not prepared to recognize them. Just think, how many great ideas may have lost due to lack of curiosity?
3. It opens up new worlds and possibilitiesBy being curious you will be able to see new worlds and possibilities which are normally not visible. They are hidden behind the surface of normal life, and it takes a curious mind to look beneath the surface and discover these new worlds and possibilities.
4. It brings excitement into your life
   The life of curious people is far from boring. It’s neither dull nor routine. There are always new things that attract their attention, there are always new ‘toys’ to play with. Instead of being bored, curious people have an adventurous life.

Now, knowing the importance of curiosity, here are some tips to develop it:

1. Keep an open mind

This is essential if you are to have a curious mind. Be open to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Some things you know and believe might be wrong, and you should be prepared to accept this possibility and change your mind.

2. Don’t take things as granted

If you just accept the world as it is without trying to dig deeper, you will certainly lose the ‘holy curiosity’. Never take things as granted. Try to dig deeper beneath the surface of what is around you.

3. Ask questions relentlessly

A sure way to dig deeper beneath the surface is asking questions: What is that? Why is it made that way? When was it made?Who invented it? Where does it come from? How does it work? What, why, when, who, where, and how are the best friends of curious people.

4. Don’t label something as boring

Whenever you label something as boring, you close one more door of possibilities. Curious people are unlikely to call something as boring. Instead, they always see it as a door to an exciting new world. Even if they don’t yet have time to explore it, they will leave the door open to be visited another time.

5. See learning as something fun

If you see learning as a burden, there’s no way you will want to dig deeper into anything. That will just make the burden heavier. But if you think of learning as something fun, you will naturally want to dig deeper. So look at life through the glasses of fun and excitement and enjoy the learning process..

6. Read diverse kinds of reading

Don’t spend too much time on just one world; take a look at another worlds. It will introduce you to the possibilities and excitement of the other worlds which may spark your interest to explore them further. One easy way to do this is through reading diverse kinds of reading. Try to pick a book or magazine on a new subject and let it feed your mind with the excitement of a new world.

Keep those questions coming...it's an amazing thing!