12_Neuroplasticity 6-8

Neurons that fire together, wire together. —Donald Hebb Neuroplasticity At Home Resources Level: Middle School (6-8) Concepts: • Brain Growth • Brain Science • ThoughtsBig Ideas For This LessonUsing modern technology, we can measure changes in the brain and observe how it responds tochanges in behavior and environment. Our brain will literally change its physical structure in responseto the habits we do, and do not, practice. We are what we repeatedly do.If we want to improve at something we practice it, and this practice creates measurable changes in thebrain. Our brains can stretch and grow by introducing new thoughts and habits – much like a musclethat grows through exercise and struggle.We are capable of learning new concepts, pushing beyond our limits, and even increasing our intelli-gence by learning to help our brains grow. This concept is called neuroplasticity. There are two rootwords in the word neuroplasticity: neuro and plastic. Neuro = anything involving the brain.Plastic = something that can be changed.So, neuroplasticity refers to our brain’s ability to change. This is pretty important when it comes tolearning; you can actually create new pathways in your brain by changing your thoughts and habits. Essential VocabularyNeuroplasticity: the brain’s ability to change over time due to the influence of thoughts, behaviors, and experiences.Neuron: Special cells that transfer electro-chemical signals through complicated networks that formthe basis of all of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.© 2017 Empowering Education, Inc. PAGE 1 of 2 All rights reserved.

NEUROPLASTICITY | GRADES 6-8 Practice Working with your student, write a 3-week planning for forming a new habit. Identify at least one skill that they would like to improve (a sport, a musical instrument, mindfulness, reading/writing) and create a daily check-list to support them in forming this new habit successfully. For instance, if your student would like to improve their ability to sit in a mindful body you may create a 3-week plan that gradually increases their time spent in a mindful body (Week 1 = 2 min- utes per day, Week 2 = 4 minutes per day, Week 3 = 8 minutes per day). Check-in with your student daily about their new habit and notice how their ability improves over time with repeated practice. Student Resources• Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin (Grades 4 – 7)• Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan (Grades 5 – 8)• Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Grades 4 – 6)• Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Grades 4 – 7) • Your Fantastic Elastic Brain (Picture Book) by JoAnn Deak, Ph.D.• Neuroscience for Kids Brain Games (Learning Link) by The University of Washington• The Brain: All About Our Nervous System and More! by Seymour Simon (Grades K – 6)• The Great Brain Book: An Inside Look at the Inside of Your Head by HP Newquist (Grades 5–7)• The Human Brain Coloring Book (Activity Book) by Marian C. Diamond• The Neuroscience of Good Coaching (Article) by Marshall Moore• The Neuroscience of Happiness (Podcast) by Rick Hanson Adult Resources• Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take Five Minutes or Less (Book) by S.J. Scott• Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence (Book) by Rick Hanson, Ph.D.• The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (Book) by Norman Doidge, M.D.© 2017 Empowering Education, Inc. PAGE 2 of 2 All rights reserved.