Laying the Foundation: Building Brain

Power

Course Syllabus: Teaching and Learning

Professor Angela Shelley
Theme Statement: Thinking and learning connect with content to produce long-term
results when teachers use sound principles of planning, teaching, practice and
assessment. Content, process and product interact within the mind of the learner in an
integrated, seamless manner if the teaching is brain-based and effective. Teaching and
learning emphasizing the importance of brain-compatible learning helps move the
knowledge and concepts learned from short-term to long-term memory for effective
retrieval. In teaching and learning, brainpower is foundational to success.

Course Goals and Objectives:

A. The Learner Will (TLW) demonstrate knowledge and application of learning and
teaching principles in a variety of ways with high success
B. TLW recognize and describe the contributions of Piaget, Dewey, Vygotsky, Hunter,
Marilyn J. Adams, Marion Diamond, Robert Sylwester, Eric Jensen and others.
C. TLW participate actively in a variety of brain-compatible lessons, read a book on
brain research, and be able to explain the reasons for each lesson component in
terms of the brain, memory, retention and learning.
D. TLW practice effective planning using the format for effective lessons.
E. TLW develop and evaluate effective lesson plans and lessons.
F. TLW develop concepts, generalizations, critical questions, objectives, vocabulary,
and assessment tools for an integrated lesson.
G. TLW relate the study of the brain, effective lesson planning, the principles of
teaching and learning to the developmental characteristics of the student.

Resources:
A. Books
1. Best Practice - Zelman, Daniels, and Hyde
2. Brain Facts - Jenson
3. Brain-Based Learning - Jenson
4. Endangered Minds - Healy
5. How the Brain Learns - Sousa
6. Human Brain and Human Learning - Hart
7. Introduction to Brain-Compatible Learning - Jenson
8. Learning and Memory - Sprenger
9. Mastery Teaching - Hunter
10. So Each May Learn - Silver, Strong, Perini
 11. The Owner's Manual for the Brain - Howard
B. State Resources
1. Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
2. TExES PPR Test Preparation Manual
3. TAKS Released Tests for Grades 3, 6, 8, 10
4. Texas Professional Development and Appraisal System - PDAS
5. Texas Education Agency Website - http://www.tea.state.tx.us/

C. Films and Movie Clips

1. Forever Strong
2. ASCD Brain Series
3. Brain Pop
4. Madeleine Hunter's Effective Teaching
5. Others as necessary

D. Social Media
1. Twitter - twitter.com
2. Scribd - scribd.com
3. Blogspot - blogspot.com or blogger.com
4. Facebook
5. Yammer
6. Flickr
7. YouTube
8. Vimeo

Assignments:
• Write a lesson plan for a brain-compatible mini lesson on the Rainforest. The
lesson must reflect the components of brain-compatible lessons and must follow
the format on the Lesson Plan Format (included in syllabus). Lesson plan is due
Friday, June 10, 2011. See Lesson Plan Rubric also in syllabus. The lesson plan
must be uploaded to www.scribd.com and a link needs to be emailed to
kinderrulz@gmail.com or tweeted to @flipflopqueen. (We will discuss how to use
document sharing sites like scribd.com in class.)
• Select and 100 pages from a current (1990+) book on brain research or brain
development. Then write three blog posts including a summary and response
using the format in the syllabus. The blog posts are due Friday, June 10, 2011.
The blog post links should be emailed to kinderrulz@gmail.com or tweeted to
@flipflopqueen. (We will discuss how to set up a blog on sites like blogger/blogspot
in class.)
• In-class writing assignments and group assignments will be observed and
evaluated for cooperative participation in each. A writing sample will scored.

Assessment:
1. Brain Book Report (30%) Due 6/10
2. Lesson Plan and Group Sharing (30%) Due 6/10
3. Writing Sample (15%) Due 6/8
 4. Self Reflection/Peer Feedback on Lesson Plan (15%) Due 6/10
5. Class Activities and Participation (10%)

ACCESS Class Norms

1. Attendance and punctuality
2. Professionalism
3. Positive attitude and communication. Be proactive and professional at all times.
4. Professional but casual dress (Business Casual) - No athletic attire, low-cut jeans, or
bare midriffs, short shorts, tank tops, etc. Ask yourself: What would my principal want
me to wear to in-service training meetings?
5. Participate Effectively: Take notes, keep all handouts, organize your personal space,
etc.
6. Practice thinking, acting, and talking like a teacher!
7. Phones off during class.
8. Practice respectfulness to others - agree/disagree with dignity and grace. Listen, do
not talk over others, do not interrupt, and do not dominate time or attention.
9. You will be well prepared for teaching and for the PPR test IF you actively
participate, take careful notes, and read your materials. You are the key to your own
success!
10. Follow all DCC rules including no smoking on campus.

Angela Shelley
kinderrulz@gmail.com
shelleya@cfbisd.edu work email
214-729-7328 cell