Brain-Compatible Learning for the Block

R. Bruce Williams, Steven E. Dunn

Corwin Press, Dec 14, 2007 - Education - 224 pages

The second edition provides detailed sample lesson plans and includes additional strategies for using extended time formats effectively.

Contents

• Chapter 1 Physiology and Philosophy: 1
• Brain Compatibility and Multifaceted Learning: 23
• BrainCompatible Learning Climate: 30
• Sample FourPhase Lesson PlanWhats on Your Mind?: 33
• Reflective Questions: 42
• Chapter 2 FourPhase Lesson and Unit Design: 43
• Four Phases Assist in Schemata Formation: 52
• Essential Questions: 55
• AttendExperienceReflect: 58
• Internal Structure: 59
• Integrated Assessment: 60
• Planning a Unit and a Lesson: 62
• Reflective Questions: 70
• Chapter 3 Extended Time Formats Including Block Scheduling: 71
• Alternative Scheduling Formats: 81
• Sample FourPhase Lesson PlanCan Prejudice Kill a Mockingbird?: 85
• Reflective Questions: 93
• Chapter 4 Content and Curriculum: 95
• Prioritizing Curriculum in Extended Time Formats: 97
• BrainCompatible Curriculum: 107
• Sample FourPhase Lesson PlanCircles that Cycle: 110
• Reflective Questions: 119
• The Art and Science of Teaching in Extended Time Formats: 121
• Energizing Educational Principles: 122
• BrainCompatible Instructional Strategies: 126
• Pathway to a New Paradigm: 156
• Sample FourPhase Lesson PlanGender Age and PyramidsOnly Your Sarcophagus Knows for Sure: 158
• Reflective Questions: 167
• Measuring Achievement and Growth in Extended Time Formats: 169
• Authentic Assessment: 171
• Assessment for Learning: 176
• No Child Left Behind NCLB: 177
• Testing Matters: 178
• Assessment in FourPhase Lesson and Unit Design: 181
• Sample FourPhase Lesson PlanScience Schmience or who Framed Sir Isaac Newton?: 182
• Reflective Questions: 190
• References: 191
• Index: 195

About the author

Bruce Williams has more than thirty five years of international consulting experience, and is noted for his expertise in group facilitation and in planning and team building methodologies. Williams' specialty is facilitating participative, interactive group workshops whether they are focused on strategic planning and consensus building or instructional methodologies for the classroom. He has conducted successful workshops on brain compatible learning and school change facilitation, and he frequently presents in the areas of cooperative learning, higher order thinking skills, and authentic assessment. With seven years' experience in teaching English as a second language in Japan and Korea, Williams is highly experienced in working with diverse populations. Thirty-six years' experience in adult training also make him a valuable resource in facilitating school change. In addition to conference workshops in 2002 in Australia and New Zealand, he has been invited three times to present workshops for teachers in Singapore. In April of 2004, Williams was the keynote speaker for 400 principals and teachers in Beijing.

Steven E. Dunn, Ed.D., currently resides in Wichita, Kansas with his twin sons. His two daughters live and work in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Dunn joined the School of Education faculty at Newman University in the fall of 2002. Before joining the Newman faculty, Dr. Dunn worked as an independent consultant beginning in 1992. His mission as a consultant was to provide professional development in effective instructional strategies, learning theories, service learning, curriculum development, classroom management, and related educational topics. During the decade he was a full-time consultant, Dr. Dunn was an author, trainer and consultant for several educational and business agencies including USAID Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina Education Department Brcko District; International Youth Foundation in Skopje, Macedonia; Quest International and Lion’s International throughout the United States and in Iceland, Poland, and Lithuania; Skylight International Renewal Institute throughout the United States; Ted Anders Company from Atlanta, Georgia; National Children’s Educational Reform Foundation in Hartford, Connecticut and Dallas, Texas; American Management Systems and Army JROTC in Hampton, Virginia; National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) in Denver, Colorado; and Church of God Hispanic Educational Ministries in Cleveland, Tennessee. Dr. Dunn earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Utah State University, and his Ed.D. from Brigham Young University. He was a high school English teacher and coach at Weber High School in Ogden, Utah. He has also taught on the faculties of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio and Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Dr. Dunn currently teaches graduate education courses at Newman University.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Brain-Compatible Learning for the Block
• Authors: R. Bruce Williams, Steven E. Dunn
• Edition: 2
• Publisher: Corwin Press, 2007
• ISBN: 1452297169, 9781452297163
• Length: 224 pages
• Subjects: Education / General; Education / Teaching / General