~ Secrets of the Teenage Brain ~ Strategies for Reaching & Teaching Today’s Adolescents Based on author Sheryl Feinstein’ book

Teen Brain > Under Construction The adolescent brain is going under significant growth, only comparable to the first 3 years of life when complex skills like walking and speech are mastered Short-term memory increases 30% during adolescence The activities teens invest their time and energy in influence what activities they will do as adults

Neurons Neurons are the cells associated with learning They are composed of a cell body, dendrites and an axon Information travels across the synapse between neurons

Stressed Neurons Rats which were stressed showed significantly fewer dendrites than non- stressed rats The lack of dendrites hinders the ability of neurons to network with one another and form neural pathways

The Human Brain

Brain Function

“Use It or Lose It” During adolescence, there is a massive overproduction of neurons Neurons which aren’t used are pruned, and gone forever, but those that are used to form neural pathways will last a lifetime

Amygdala vs. Frontal Lobe The amygdala is responsible for pleasure, anger, fear Teenagers rely more on their amygdala than adults, who rely more on their frontal lobes The amygdala triggers anger, misunderstanding, sexual interest, aggression, disorganization, emotional language

Making the World a Better Place As the frontal lobes mature, teens are increasingly capable of moral reasoning and idealism  teens become less self- absorbed and often turn idealism into activism

“Every move you make, every step you take…” The parietal lobes control spatial awareness and the fluidity of the body’s movements As the parietal lobes mature, the ability to become proficient in sport and musical instruments is particularly enhanced

Healthy Body = Healthy Mind Regular physical activity strengthens the cerebellum A strong cerebellum is essential for good problem-solving skills and mental planning

Brain Based Teaching Strategies Set clear, consistent rules Set challenges that are positive Teach to a range of learning styles and multiple intelligences Adolescents love novelty Individualize the members of your class by getting to know each student’s abilities, talents and interests Advocate involvement in extra-curricular activities, sports and part-time jobs

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