Music in the classroom

Why music in class?

Integrating music in the classroom can enhance our students' learning experiences in many different ways. The brain learns in patters and music is delivered in patterns too, that is why it is much easier to remeber the ABC in a song than if it is spoken.

Music helps us to coordinate the rhythm of the heart, our breathing, and our brain waves. It contributes to our body  and mind relaxation opening the door for learning.

Music is a powerful tool that can create a warm and exciting environmet in class and can change negative emotions.

The use of music in my class

We can use music for different purposes and at different moments. Here you have some songs I usually use in my classes.... bear in mind that from time to time it will be advisable to change the songs so as not to bore your students!

Opening ritual: when students enter my class they listen to some uplifting songs to get energized like "Eye of the tiger", then we do some brain gym activities to prepare our brains for learning.   

Concentration time: For reading or other activities that require concentration I play some Baroque music, Chopin, Celtic music, new age, etc. Avoid music with lyrics, the ideal is to play instrumental songs.

Closing ritual: Finally, when the class ends I usually play some stimulating songs again like "We are the champions" "I am a believer" "Let the river run" while they put their things away and get ready to go home.

Remember that your class should be like an electrocardiagram, it should have moments of instruction and moments of relax and you can accompany those moments with the appropriate music and rhythm.

In the following links you will find the access to the playlists I use in class with my students. 

Opening Ritual

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgYpI5KqTNI&list=PL85DE272028F261E3

Concentration Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeyQ9Rk9Zvk&list=PLYunnD_nqmi1wDBSm0KZsUStgDLAm0eo2

Closing Ceremony

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaKDOYTZbJg&list=PLYunnD_nqmi2Buqwo0rdIxCihyFKcGGr3

Brain GYM exercises!

Movement in the classroom

Movement in the classroom

"Movement is the door to learning" Paul Dennison.

In my opinion making students move in class is very useful to set up the mood for a successful learning. Moving not only oxygenates the brain but it also prepares it for learning. 

Our brain needs oxygen and moving is a fun way of oxygenating it. With these exercises, blood flow to your brain will increase and will help you to be more concentrated and focused on any task. 

There are many simple exercises you can do yourself or with your students before starting any activity. Here are just some ideas:

Cross crawl: stand or sit. You have to touch your left knee with your right elbow and then the other way around. Do this for 2 or 3 minutes.

Brain Buttons: first, with one hand make a massage below the collar bone with your thumb and middle finger. At the same time do the same but with the other hand over the navel. Switch hands. Do this for about 2 minutes.

Ankle Touch: touch your uncle with the opposite hand, to do it more challenging do the same but behind your body.

Energy Yawn: Just massage the junction of your jaws for 2 minutes.

Relaxing Touch: Touch slightly the point above each eye between the hairline and the eyebrow with the fingertips of each hand. Clse your eyes, breathe in and breathe out, do this a couple of times until you feel totally relaxed.

Hope you can apply these exercises to your classes and your own life. Cheers!

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What is essential to the brain for a successful learning?

What are the essential facts we should take into account for a successful learning experience?  What does the brain need to learn successfully? The following truths can help teachers to have an idea of what is necessary to take the most out of our students and develop all their potential.

First of all, let us consider how we can nourish our brains. In order to function properly, our brain needs OXYGEN. Breathing, meditating and doing physical exercise promote brain oxygenation. Breathing exercises help us develop self control which is essential for our students. Being able to control one's impulses at a young age could play into later academic success and social skills.  

Another important aspect to bear in mind is that our brain is made up mainly of WATER, so drinking a good amount of filtered water every single day is indispensable for a good brain functioning. Dehydration can seriously impair learning and affect concentration and memory.

DIET. The brain needs a balanced diet to obtain energy. Fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins must be present in our meals everyday. Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E which is good for brain cognitive functions as well as almonds which improve memory and lower cholesterol levels. 
                                                        

SLEEPING helps to reinforce what we learnt the previous day. What's more, having a nap inmediatley after learning a task seems to improve performance on the task. Lack of sleep can seriously affect cognitive functions.

EMOTIONS often involve memory and memories often involve emotions. POSITIVE EMOTIONS are better remembered than neutral events  so it is essential for our students to associate any piece of learning with a "feeling good" emotion in order to have them stored in the long term memory. 

CONTEXT is of a great importance to help the brain get the most optimal state for learning. The classroom should have elements that make the student feel safe and relaxed. Incorporating soft music, plants, and images can provide the appropriate atmosphere for learning.

All in all, these are some of the main facts I take into account when I teach. Taking advantage of the new discoveries in neuroscience can be of a great help if we want our students to achieve their full potential. 

Have a nice week!

10 Interesting facts about the brain

The human brain is such a wonderful tool we have! I am always amazed at how it works and how much we can achieve if we learn how to use it for our own benefit..... our brain is a miracle in itself.....

These are some interesting facts I learnt about it...... 

1. The human brain has 100 billion neurons.
2. The adult brain continually generates new cells, this is called neurogenesis.
3. The brain is 60% white matter and 40% grey matter.
4. The brain is made up of about 75% of water.
5. There are no pain receptors in the brain.
6. At birth, the brain is almost the same size as an adult brain and contains most of the cells it will have throughout its life.
7. The cerebral cortex which is responsible for our "higher thinking functions" grows thicker as we grow older.
8. Humans have at around 70,000 thoughts a day!
9. It is believed that yawning is a sign that our brain needs more oxygen.
10. During sleep you consolidate all your memories from the day. Brain regions involved in learning the day before are reactivated during sleep.

What other interesting facts do you know about our amazing brain? I am sure there are a lot more!