Interactive Learning Experiences, Grades 6-12

Preface Acknowledgments About the Author 1. Why Create an Experience? What Is an Experience? Brain-Compatible Learning Seeing Into the Brain How the Brain Learns Brain Research and Education: What Teachers Need to Know Why Is It So Hard to Impress a Teenager? Emotion: At the Center of the Brain Complex Learning Activities The Power of Reflection Reflection Questions for Teachers 2. How to Create an Experience Preparing a Classroom Environment Conducive to Experiences Here's the Problem Spread the Love: Rapport-Building Exercises The Physical Environment Strategies for Creating Experiences What Does Infinity Smell Like? Move Your Body Using Music to Build Anticipation, Excitement, and Readiness Tying Music to Your Curriculum Fantasy Contexts Putting It All Together: Creating Your Own Experiences Student Involvement Other Ideas for Experiences Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation Ideas for English and Social Studies Teachers Ideas for Math and Science Teachers Ideas for World Language Teachers Ideas for Health, Wellness, and Physical Education Teachers Reflection Questions for Teachers 3. How Do You Assess an Experience? Traditional vs. Authentic Assessment Reflection as Formative Assessment Aligning Your Experiences to Standards Why Standards-Based? Reflection as Summative Assessment Other Considerations See What They Already Know Before You Begin Reflection Questions for Teachers 4. Sample Experiences Guess Who Had This for Dinner The Eliminator Morning Move-Around The Wave Two Truths and a Lie The Name Game Thumper Old-Fashioned Sing Down Musical Moment The Reveal Debate Shift-Around Save the Princess Counter-Terrorism The Arrest Shelter The Scream The Fire Power Island Survival The Salesman Witch Hunt The Farm Game Crime Scene Rollercoaster Designer 5. Making Experiences Work for You Resource A. Reproducible Handouts Song Reflection Report Save the Princess Counter-Terrorism The Scream Power Island Survival The Salesman The Farm Game Crime Scene Lab Report Resource B. Additional Resources Brain-Based Learning Fun Kit Web Resources About Brain-Compatible Learning Web Resources About Simulation Games References Index