Welcome to the December 2017 edition of The Learning Brain News.
The school year is over. Congratulations to all the dedicated educators and parents who have worked all year for our children.
Have you heard about positive education? Watch the short video which explains what it is. You'll be hearing a lot more about this in 2018.
This edition is packed with activities for the holidays including boredom busters, craft ideas, local library story times and even maths worksheets. It's all free.
Best wishes,
Devon Barnes
Learning Brain News
PS: Read how you can now get The Learning Brain News on your iphone or Android device via the free Schoolzine App. See instructions below.
What is Positive Education?
It's a different way of teaching and learning based on the strengths of every individual student and teacher. This is what some education experts are saying:
"Positive education is the intersection of traditional education and the building of well-being." Professor Martin Seligman.
"An absolute game changer and it's going to have a major impact on society". Dr Suzy Green.
"It's really about bringing out the best in all children". Dr Scott Barry Kaufman. Learn more. Watch this short video.
Latest Research
Reading Information Aloud to Yourself Improves Memory
A recent study found that speaking text aloud helps to get words into long-term memory. Dubbed the "production effect," the study determined that it is the dual action of speaking and hearing yourself that has the most beneficial impact on memory. Read more.
Learning and Staying in Shape Key to Longer Lifespan
A major study of the genes that underpin longevity has found that education leads to a longer life, with almost a year added for each year spent studying beyond school.
Other key findings are that people who give up smoking, study for longer and are open to new experiences might expect to live longer.
Read more.
What's New
You Can Now Read The Learning Brain News on an App
Download the free Schoolzine App to access the current and past Learning Brain News at any time.
Go to the App Store or Google Play, download the App, select 'New Subscription', 'Australia', 'NSW', and search for 'The Learning Brain News'.
The Educator Evidence-Based Decisions Survey Results
During Semester 2, this year, educators from Australia and New Zealand participated in a survey to explore how they make decisions about sourcing teaching materials, programs, technology and pedagogy.
Many thanks to those that took the time to provide some valuable insights. Read the report.
What's On?
The New Science of Learning for Struggling Readers
This webinar is a must-see for everyone interested in how neuroscience is impacting education. See the latest research on how the brain is organised (or not) for reading, and what’s happening with your struggling students.
You'll learn how the science of learning has guided the development of technologies like Fast ForWord to improve the underlying memory, attention, and processing abilities struggling students need for success. Watch it now.
The Learning Success Blog
Ekamai International School: Building English Language Brains Fast
The Ekamai International School in Bangkok was close enough to visit when the LearnFast team was at the Educating with Neuroscience 2017 Asia conferences in November.
This Seventh Day Adventist school has over 1,300 K-12 students who come from 33 different countries and English is typically not their native language.
We were intrigued to see the focus of Ekamai school’s leaders on the importance of English. Students can’t miss the prominently displayed signs proclaiming:
Careers Guidance for Secondary Students
Apprenticeships & Trades - a Good Way, and Maybe Best for Many
Career councillor Gordon Doyle has written a thoughtful article pointing out that a university course may not be the best option for everyone.
Read his advice here, which explains the benefits of apprenticeships and trade training.
Free Download
Maths Skills Booster – December Worksheets
Thanks again for sending through your Maths Skills Booster feedback. It is always great to see how students are benefiting from this simple tool. Here are a few of the comments we received last month.
- The tips have been very helpful. I also like the jumbled chart because it lets me know that they comprehend the work and are not just memorising.
- Very motivating.
- I like the way they want to go back and practice anything they didn't get the first time.
Did you miss out on the original Maths Skills Booster? You can get it here.
18 Signs that May Indicate your Child has Dyslexia
Are you a concerned parent wondering if your child may have Dyslexia?
Are they a slow reader? Do they struggle to sound out words, or randomly guess words when reading?
The 18 questions on the checklist will enable you to consider if your child may need a professional assessment or help.
Book of the Month
Raising Human Beings - Creating a collaborative partnership with your child
Raising Human Beings explains how to cultivate a better parent-child relationship while also nurturing empathy, honesty, resilience, and independence.
It offers a detailed and practical guide for raising kids in a way that improves communication, and helps kids learn how to resolve disagreements without conflict. Read more.
App of the Month
Interactive Telling Time
Interactive Telling Time provides children with a variety of different games and activities to practice the important skill of telling time. It includes 9 fun and interactive clocks that come with movable hour and minute hands. The app also helps children distinguish between AM and PM.
Interactive Telling Time is great for kids from ages 3 to 12 and comes in 5 difficulty levels.
Autism:
Sensitive Santa
Photos
low background noise and without the queues. Find your nearest shopping centre.
7 Ways to Prepare Kids for Visiting Family & Friends
Teachers,
Burnout and
Holidays
Christmas
Craft
Ideas
Try some of these simple Christmas craft ideas that you can do with your children. Includes advent calendars and
decorations.
School Holiday
Boredom
Busters
that your children will really enjoy.
Festive Storytime
at your
Local Library
for times.