The+Science+of+Student+Success,+May+2011


 * Event Title: The Science of Student Success**
 * Date:**
 * Location:**
 * Name(s) of Attendees: Michelle Mondell, Don Kappelman, Penny Matthews and Claudia Jolivert**

Description of Workshops, Classes, Institutes, Etc.
**Event Title: The Science of Student Success** The Brain and Learning **Date:** May 5-7, 2011 **Location:** Chicago **Name(s) of Attendees: Michelle Mondell, Don Kappelman, Penny Matthews and Claudia Jolivert** ==Description of Workshops, Classes, Institutes, Etc==

**__ The first session attended was titled, " CHOKE: What the secrets of the brain revel about getting it right when you have to." Sian Beilock __**
* Early experiences can change the brain structure, ex: music * Sian Beilock stated that the Brian can change the way it is wired. Meditation is an excellent way to rewire the brain. The brain will change just like a muscle with weights. * Choking was defined as poor performance that occurs in response to a perceived stress of a situation. * Choking is the malfunction of the prefrontal cortex. The working memory cannot focus fully because of the worries and stresses. High performing students have more stresses that can drop their scores or performance. **A few steps that can counter a choking performance** - A student must first recognize and know what the influences are that are causing the stress. - Keep a journal about stresses with expressive writing with the student’s thoughts, worries and feelings about the test. The writings should be about the feelings that prevent the performances. - The writings were especially effective for high performing individuals.

**__ Session -Physical Activity and Exercise Implications for Healthy Brains and Minds __**
· Benefits of exercise for ages 4-18 - Perceptual skills - creativity and concentration - IQ - academic achievement - verbal tests - math tests Everyday activity will improve scholastic performance. Aerobic fitness showed to increase academic achievement the most. Ninety minutes per week will increase performance in reading, writing and arithmetic.

**__ Session - The Bernstein Performance Model __**
Theory is that an optimal level of stress stimulates optimal performance. When stress is too high or low performance suffers. Each individual has different levels of optimal stress. Stress is a function of disconnection. Feeling stressed means that you are disconnected in one or more of the three domains; spirit, mind and body. The way to reduce stress and improve performance is through connection. Keep focused in your spirit, remain confident in your mind and stay calm in your body. To reduce stress: 1. Cultivate your awareness of the disconnection. 2 Use the following tools to reconnect. **//__ Focus __//** **Stop** and ask “Is this distraction taking me to my goal?” **Listen** to your inner voice for the next step **Fulfill** your purpose. Get yourself back on track. **//__ Confidence __//** **Confide** in your confidant. Let go of the negativity. **Reflect** back something accurate and positive. **Envision** taking small manageable steps. **//__ Calm __//** **Breathe** deeply down to your belly **Ground** yourself. Feel the floor. Release tension. **Sense** your surroundings through your five senses. Bernstein took the group through the steps of how to reduce the stress in our everyday performance. He talked about the three legged stool. All legs had to be even or it will not work, one must be focused, calm and confident.

How I See What I Learned Applied At Ransom, or, What I Would Like To Try at Ransom:
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