Brain based learning and feelings: a lesson plan

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Brain-Based Learning and Feelings: A lesson plan based on Brain-based Learning Theory by Nellie Deutsch

This lesson plan includes a reading passage, a KWLH chart and an anticipation/reaction chart for questions before and after the reading.

1. Start with a discussion of the topic.

2. Ask students to fill in the KWLH chart sections 1. and 2.

3. Then ask them to fill in the before reading part of the anticipation/reaction chart.

4. Next ask them to read the passage and guess the meanings of the words on the Can you guess the meaning chart.

5. Once they have finished reading ask them to fill in part 3. and 4. of the KWLH chart. Discuss the topic and their ideas on what they have learned and how they can learn more.

Please write me if you need any help.

Brain-Based Learning and Feelings

How learners feel is very important to their learning. If they are enthusiastic and feel good, they will learn. If the conditions are negative and the learner doesn't feel safe, learning will not take place.

Is the learning process the same today as it was in the past? According to David Sousa, "yesterday's methods worked well for yesterday's students. But the student brain of today is quite different from the one of 15 years ago". Today's children spend much more time with television and other electronic media than with their parents.

Since today's brain needs a TV like environment, both sound and animations should be used to suit today's learner. The Internet is a good source of information for this. It can make learning meaningful.

How students feel in the classroom determines the amount of attention they devote to the lesson. It is very important for learners to feel relaxed and safe in class and school. Feeling threatened will shut down the learning process. Teachers can help students understand the influence that negative and positive emotions have on learning. Positive emotions such as love, excitement, enthusiasm and joy help process information and create permanent learning in the brain.

Learning cannot take place unless the learner feels safe. Stress and constant fear can interfere with the learning process. That's why it's important to feel good about learning.

Can you find the meanings of these words?
enthusiastic		environment
conditions		media
process		source
suit		determines
threatened		influence
stress		permanent
constant		interfere
emotions		devote

What do you know about the brain, learning and feelings?
Respond to each statement twice: before and after the reading of the passage. Write T=true if you agree with the statement and write F=false if you disagree with the statement.
Response before reading	Brain-based learning and feelings	Response after reading
	The learning process is the same now as it was in the past.
	The student brain of today is different from what it was in the past.
	Emotions have nothing to do with learning.
	Pressure helps the learning process.
	Nothing can interfere with learning if you want to learn.
	Paying attention in class has to do with how a learner feels.

KWLH
1. What do you know?	2. What do you want to know?