Our Brains are Amazing Machines!!!

Again, Wednesday's class was great and left me with many points to ponder!  Some statements throughout the class really resonated with me, especially some of the comments stated by Tod Rose on his youtube video about The Myth of Average and how "average" doesn't exist.  I thought about his comments lots over the past few days.  I re-read my jot notes while watching the video and was inspired by some of his ways of thinking about education.

http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eBmyttcfU4

Rose talked a lot about how one design does not fit all, especially in our diverse classrooms of today.  We, as an education system, need to be adjusting to meet the needs of the various learners in our classrooms if our students are going to be successful in them.  We need to be designing and implementing curriculum that has been "designed to the edges" and "nurtures individual potential".  By doing so, we are teaching to an inclusive class where all students are sitting in their adjustable seats ready to learn with the support they need to reach his/her maximum potential.  With that said, students need to be given the tools necessary in order for this to happen.  Like Rose said, "What good is the best technology in the world if you can't reach the critical instruments you need the most?"  For some students, that critical instrument might be a laptop with Kurzweil to help them with reading grade level text or an iPad with Proloquo2go to assist with communicating their thoughts and ideas.  As the teacher, we need to be ensuring that we are giving each of our students the best ways for them to be demonstrating their knowledge and understanding that best meets their individual needs. 

For teachers in our classrooms today, that might mean taking a step outside the box and a willingness to embrace change and technology, even when one might be feeling uncomfortable or fearful of both.  Just relax and enjoy the ride with the students.  You both will learn so much from each other. ..and know that you are not alone on your journey.  The benefits for both you and your students will far surpass the fears.      

The Reading Process and the Brain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cNIRDCZANs

What an amazing machine our brain is!!!  How it works for each of us individually is really fascinating!  As an elementary teacher, I have supported many students on their journey of becoming proficient readers.  I knew that the brain was doing MANY different things in order to help the student read but....after tonight's class and Barb showed the task analysis process of the brain and all the jobs it is doing while reading...and the task analysis wasn't fully completed....I was amazed!  

It is hard for me to imagine how a student who is struggling to read truly feels....I can only guess he/she is feeling many different emotions!!! 

Being a proficient reader and writer, I definitely took for granted all the brain is doing in order for me to read.  However, now that Barb has broken the reading process down, I am going to be more mindful of this when working with my students in my reading groups.

Food for thought.  I think Barb asked us in class, "Why do we read?"  I immediately thought of two reasons we read....for entertainment and to learn new information.  So, curious I searched for other reasons on line and found the following list of reasons why we should be reading on a daily basis.


http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-benefits-reading-why-you-should-read-everyday.html

Hope you enjoy!