Fjeldheim,+Jill,+Movement+and+the+Brain

MOVEMENT AND THE BRAIN

Movement is the door to learning - Paul E. Dennison Co-founder of Brain Gym

Introduction: Hello! My name is Jill Fjeldheim and I am currently a student in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Southern Oregon University. Before studying to become a teacher, I spent many years as a professional mime, physical comedian, and circus artist. I live in the Rogue Valley with my husband, Daryl, and our daughter, Lily.

Why I chose this topic: Nothing gives me more pleasure than to incorporate movement into teaching. Teaching with movement stimulates the brain, develops social skills, allows for emotional release, teaches concepts spatially, and allows students to literally embody new information, which strengthens memory and deepens understanding. I have gathered resources that allow any teacher, even if they have no background in movement or theater to employ movement in their classroom. I was also happy to find research that scientifically supports the beneficial effect of movement on the brain.

Five Things I learned: 1) According to research, as many as 85% of students are kinesthetic learners, yet the typical school curriculum offers very few if any kinesthetic learning techniques." (pg.148) __The Dominance Factor__

2) People have one eye, ear, hand, foot, and brain hemisphere that is dominant over the other. If a student's dominant side is determined, it is possible to know his/her specific learning style.

3) Drinking enough water is crucial for the brain to function at full capacity.

4) Research shows that cross-lateral movement, (moving your hands and feet across your midline) plays a key role in growing new nerve cells in the hippocampus, which is the primary center for memory.

5) We can actually disable a child's brain by not allowing him/her to move.

My top resource: The official Brain Gym website- [] This website is my top resource because it is so comprehensive. Brain Gym is dedicated to optimizing learning through the science of movement. Brain Gym has an international following, offering workshops, forums, and ongoing publications. The techniques used from Brain Gym have helped students dramatically. RATE: 5/5

Additional Resources: 1) This video shows the use of one Brain Gym activity to practice math. It is quick, simple, and taught by a teacher wearing a skirt! RATE: 5/5

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2) This third grade teacher describes several simple Brain Gym activities that she uses regularly with her students. Her teaching is clear, simple, and accessible. RATE: 5/5

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3) This powerpoint shares simple Brain Gym principles RATE: 4/5

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4)This is a follow-along exercise video featuring Brain Gym movement to music. If teachers were not comfortable leading their classes in this kind of movement, they could simply show the video and have students follow along. To me, it gets a little monotonous, but maybe after students got used to the movements they could sing songs,chants or play music of their own choice. RATE: 4/5

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Books:

Dr. Carla Hannford, a nuerophpysiologist and educator, describes how to move to fully activate brain potential. She documents her findings in medical research in a way that is practical and easy to read. **This book is excellent for the whole child educator!**
 * 5) Hannaford, C. (1995). __Smart Moves; Why Learning is Not All In Your Head.__ Arlington, VA; Great Ocean Publishers**. RATE - 5/5

In this book, Carla examines the link between what side of the body we favor for hearing, seeing, moving and what role that plays in our learning style. She then provides practical helps to cater to that learning style, much in the fashion of the PRIM manual. **A teacher must!**
 * 6) Hannaford, C (1997). __The Dominance Factor.__ Arlington, VA; Great Ocean Publishers.** RATE - 5/5

This book teaches Earth Science through Movement for a target grades 3-6. It contains thirty clearly written, step by step, well thought lessons. I have already used several of them myself.
 * 7) Landalf, Helen (1997). __Moving the Earth__. Lyme, NH; Smith and Kraus, Inc**. RATE - 5/5

This book teaches interpersoal, social skills through movement exercises. Concepts include: identifying emotions, empathy, mixed messages, compormise, and acting with power. Clearly written, accessible to any teacher and with great discussion prompts after each exercise.
 * 8) Landalf, Helen (1998). __Moving is Relating.__** Lyme, NH; Smith and Kraus, Inc. RATE - 4/5