40 Engaging Brain-Based Tools for the Classroom

Michael A. Scaddan is an international educational consultant who works in the USA, Australasia, Asia, and Europe. He is the author of 40 Engaging Brain-Based Tools for the Classroom as well as 24 training manuals and 3 educational DVDs. He has a background in elementary and adult teaching as well as being a highly successful principal and was recently selected as patron for The Hungarian Brain Based Institute. As a school principal, he continued to be a practical, hands-on educator, teaching all levels of children through an innovative Learn to Learn program. This enabled him to develop hundreds of useful and practical classroom tips as well as fine-tune successful schoolwide techniques that are now passed on to fellow educators. Always looking for a better way, he has extensive training in brain-compatible learning, completing an MEd in accelerated learning at the University of Tasmania. Scaddan is now CEO of Brain Stems Ltd., a brain-compatible training organization, and has worked as a full-time learning consultant in the USA, Sweden, Hungary, India, and Australia, as well as throughout New Zealand. He has recently been employed as an educational consultant to the government of Thailand.

Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction Part I. Enhancing Relationships 1. Emotional Learning 2. Metaphors 3. Rules or Agreements 4. Choice 5. Anti-Stress Techniques Review 6. Put Ups 7. Breathing Techniques 8. Relaxation 9. Eliminating Extrinsic Rewards 10. Punishment and Consequences Review Part II. Developing Patterns and Coherence 11. Contamination 12. Concentration 13. State Changes 14. Cross Overs Review 15. Improving Memory Links 16. Memory Techniques 17. Rough Draft 18. Elaboration 19. Repetition 20. Themes Review Part III. Promoting Understanding: A Model for a "Learn to Learn" Framework 21. Input-Learning Styles 22. Learning Preferences 23. Multiple Intelligences Review 24. Motivators 25. Four Great Questions 26. WIIFM 27. Pulling Your Own Strings 28. Goal Setting 29. Myfirmations 30. Overviews Review Academic Data Part IV. Putting It All Together 31. Framing 32. Pre-wiring 33. Loops 34. Feedback 35. Mind Maps and Mindscapes 36. Reflection 37. Lo, Mo, Ho 38. Inclusive Statements 39. Response Time Something to Aim for 40. Hands Free: An Expectation to Answer Conclusion Suggested Reading References Index

"Scaddan has collected many positive, easy-to-read ideas that should be helpful for educators." -- Eric Jensen, Educational Consultant "It is great to read a book that honours the art and science of teaching and learning. Read it. Use it. Carry it from school to school, classroom to classroom for decades. This book is a backpack full of ideas, strategies, and activities to enhance brains and enrich hearts." -- Glenn Capelli, Churchill Fellow "This is the missing link in so many of our schools' curriculum. Scaddan sparks the joy of learning in children and builds relationships between teachers and learners. A must-have for administrators, teachers, counselors, and anyone interested in understanding what it takes to make a difference." -- Nancy G . Peterson, Educational Consultant