The Body-Brain Connection

Gravity Goldberg is an international educational consultant and author of eight books on teaching. Mindsets & Moves (Corwin Literacy, 2015) put her on the world stage with its practical ways to cultivate student agency, leading to speaking engagements and foreign translations of her work. She has almost 20 years of teaching experience, including positions as a science teacher, reading specialist, third grade teacher, special educator, literacy coach, staff developer, assistant professor, educational consultant, and yoga teacher. Gravity holds a B.A. and M.Ed. from Boston College and a doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is the founding director of Gravity Goldberg, LLC, a team that provides side-by-side coaching for teachers.

Section I: Why Focus on the Body and Brain Connection Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Students Learn Through Their Bodies Section II: How To Create More Body and Brain Connection Chapter 3: Students Learn When They Feel Safe Chapter 4: Students' Bodies Help Them Handle Difficulty Chapter 5: Students Learn Through Movement Chapter 6: Students Use Gesture to Create and Communicate Understanding Chapter 7: Students Learn in Places Section III: Designing Learning Experiences Based on the Body and Brain Connection Chapter 8: Putting It All Together Appendix

Gravity Goldberg reminds us that our schools must be supportive of our students in their entirety - their brains and bodies. With practical recommendations to improve students' regulatory skills, mental health, and focus, this book empowers teachers and school leaders with tools to students' communication, collaboration, and comprehension. -- Molly Ness In The Body-Brain Connection: Evidence-Based Ways to Reduce Anxiety, Boost Engagement, and Increase Comprehension in the Classroom, Gravity Goldberg offers a transformative approach to teaching that honors both students' humanity and the educator's role in fostering connection. By emphasizing safety, embodied learning, and productive struggle, Goldberg provides actionable strategies and reflection practices to reduce anxiety, boost engagement, and build a supportive community. This book is an essential guide for educators seeking to create grounded and impactful learning experiences that nurture both the mind and body. -- Afrika Afeni Mills Traditionally, the role of teachers has been to help students develop their minds. Gravity helps us understand that learning actually happens in a synergy between our minds and our bodies and offers teachers a wealth of practical strategies for supporting this connection in their day-to-day teaching, whatever grade and subject they teach. -- Carl Anderson Do you have stressed and anxious students? Students who are disengaged and not understanding lessons? If this sounds like some of the students in your classroom, Gravity Goldberg's newest book is for you. It offers compelling evidence and advice for creating a learning environment in which students are supported to engage. -- Douglas Fisher