Linda Segars NW GA RESA The Brain Seeks Two Things: Emotion This is the hook to get students attention and peak interest. Meaning This how the brain can make sense of the information coming inand anchor it to something it already knows. (These are the reasons for using Activating Strategiesthey hook the students in emotionally and then link the new learning to what they already know or have experienced so the brain can create meaning.)
Research Quotes Information stays in short-term memory only briefly. It moves from short-term to long- term memory only if there a compelling reason to remember the informationa WHY. More than ninety percent of our reasons for taking action and remembering the whys occur in the unconscious mind. The part of the brain that determines what we remember resides in the same area as emotions. Therefore, if the why to remember something is linked to emotions, it is more likely to be retained longer than if it is not. ALL LEARNING IS LINKED TO EMOTIONS. Continued in next slide Research Quotes (Continued from previous slide.) Students come to school with their own whys emotional reasons for being there. These whys are basic needs to survive, to belong and love, to gain power, to be free, and to have fun. Students possessing negative attitudes toward learning are limited in their ability to transfer their knowledge to new learning situations. Teachers can aid students desire to learn, affecting their emotions and attitudes, by addressing students basic needs through what they say and what they do in the classroom.
William Glassers Choice Theory
We all make choices according to basic needs that come from within ourselves. The needs drive our choices and influence how we behave in those choices.
5 Basic Needs (according to Glasser)
o Fun o Freedom o Power o Belonging o Survival Fun The need for pleasure To play To laugh Naturally motivating No one has to bribe you to do these things
Try to imagine life without fun Freedom The need for independence For autonomy For control over ones own life For choice
Some students have had little experience with choice Power Empowerment The need to achieve To be recognized for achievement/skills To have a sense of self-worth To contribute
What makes your students feel valued?
Belonging The need for love For relationships Social connection Part of a group
In schools, we must work to make students (parents, teachers) feel they belong Survival Physiological The need for food, shelter, safety Safe from bullying
Schools should be a safe environment from bodily harm, mental or physical intimidation, abuse. A Compelling Why
is a term used for an emotionally-linked reason or motive that drives a person to make a choice. compels us to want to learn something, commit information to long-term memory, and to recall it when desired.
ALL BEHAVIOR IS PURPOSEFUL!
It is our best attempt, at the time, given our current knowledge and skills, to meet one or more of our basic human needs.
Dr. William Glasser
So, what does that have to do with my classroom?
Characteristics of the 5 basic needs: Universal Innate Overlapping Satisfied from moment to moment Conflict with others needs Classroom Implications What needs are met with Cooperative Learning (Collaborative Pairs, Group Work)? Classroom Rules? Athletics? Clubs/Organizations? Community service? Review games? Posting student work? Hot and cold lunch lines? Positive phone calls home?