North Cedar Elementary, Cedar Falls

I had the opportunity to visit a school today- North Cedar Elementary in Cedar Falls.  The reason for my visit was to learn more about a program that the school has implemented, called The Leader in Me.  It's a program based on Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  The 7 Habits have been taught and infused into every aspect of the school's curriculum and culture. 

I knew that I would see great teaching- and great students- in a great school, (I had visited a few years ago), but what I saw today took my breath away!  I think the best way to share what I saw and heard, is to copy and paste the e-mail I sent to Jen Hartman, the principal, following my visit. 

May 22, 2012

Hi Jen,

Where do I begin?  First, thank you for being so welcoming to me- on such short notice! Making the visit to North Cedar was exactly what I needed in order to get a “feel” for The Leader in Me in action. 

I knew that I would see great teachers at work… with great kids… in a wonderful learning environment.  That’s what I have known existed at North Cedar for many years.  However, what I saw and heard today really did blow me away!  Your school exemplifies excellence in every way.

The physical environment:  shiny, clean, uncluttered, orderly, attractive…   and so very welcoming!  I took note of everything that was on the walls- in classrooms and in hallways- as I know that what is displayed sends a clear message to visitors about what a school is “all about”.  I saw the 7 Habits everywhere- in so many different formats!  It’s pretty easy to tell that The Leader in Me is infused throughout North Cedar!  In addition, every single thing that appears on your walls carries a positive message.  It just makes one feel good to be at North Cedar!  I was particularly impressed with the many examples of student work that were displayed--- and in almost every case, I could find a connection to the 7 Habits!  Your teachers are brilliant in the way they weave those habits into everything they do!  I especially loved the display on Presidents-  the Birth Announcement to Tombstone idea, and I just smiled when I read, in very small writing on one of the posters,  “Do you think any of these men began with the end in mind?  Do you think they wanted to become President from the time they were young?  Do YOU want to become President?”   Again-  brilliant!

North Cedar is obviously a very safe and orderly environment.  I was impressed by the way both staff and students interacted with me- and with each other.  Students in the hallways were purposefully making their way around---  were very polite to me- a visitor- and were anxious to help when I asked for directions, or had questions about their school.  Staff members were incredibly welcoming to me, as well.  You can tell that they are used to having visitors drop in.  Not once was I made to feel as though my presence was an inconvenience to them.

I noted in several classrooms, what I read about in The Leader in Me book-  teachers masterfully weaving the 7 Habits into their existing curriculum.  I heard teachers talk about synergizing, win-win, think first, etc.  and I heard students respond by using the language of the 7 Habits.   Data notebooks were explained to me by two first grade girls, and they did a wonderful job!  What was really interesting to me was how they “negotiated” the sharing.    One said, “How should we do this?  Should we take turns?”  (They were asking this of each other- not of me-  I was just the listener)  The girls shared responsibility for explaining- and were so very polite to one another.

I talked to students at several grade levels- asking them to talk about the 7 Habits- and in every case, the students could do it-  from Kindergartners in Art class, to 6^th graders- and everyone in-between.  They were knowledgeable, articulate, and seemed genuinely pleased to answer my questions.  It was easy to tell that they have a great deal of pride in themselves and their school-  and that they do indeed “feel” like leaders!

OK, are you bored yet?  Sorry, I’ve got more…  

Your teachers-  again, Excellence.  In every classroom that I visited, students were fully engaged in the learning activities.  More often than not, I saw teachers facilitating learning “on the side” rather than directing learning “from the stage.”  The positive relationships that teachers have developed with students is evident.  Teachers treat students with a great deal of respect, and students treat teachers with respect.  In every case, it appeared to me that the students understood WHY they were engaging in each lesson- and were truly interested in the classroom activities.  I also saw- over and over again- the use of brain-compatible teaching practices,  classroom cultures built on the science of human motivation, and some of the best examples ever of the Iowa Core’s Characteristics of Effective Instruction.  (What I always say, is that these CEI- because they are based on the science of learning- provide the right “cognitive conditions for learning.”  North Cedar is a showcase for those cognitive conditions.)

I could go on and on.  I know that you and your staff are proud of what you have built at North Cedar.  You have good reason to be.  I just wish that more educators could see what I saw this morning- and hear from your teachers and students-  It really is amazing.

Again, thank you so much for allowing me to roam your halls.  Your willingness to allow me that freedom speaks to the confidence  and pride that you have in your staff.  You KNEW that what I would see and hear would be perfectly aligned to the values that were displayed on all of your walls.  Please share these thoughts with your staff.  Visiting North Cedar has given me a good deal of hope- because I can see what is possible…   (And… it made me realize how much I miss being a classroom teacher!)  Teachers like yours are true heroes-  leaders---- and I want to “be like them!”

WOW!     Julie Crotty 

Video: The Brain and Music!

I'm excited to pass along another great resource for you!  My son (John) found this and posted it to my Facebook page.  It's a 6 minute YouTube video that illustrates the power of music on the brain.  We know that the brain loves music because of the patterns, the repetitions, the rhythms, etc.  We know that putting information to music makes it much easier to learn- and we know that information set to music, or a rhythm or rhyme, tends to STICK in one's memory!  Do you remember reading about the role that music therapy played in Gabby Gifford's recovery from her traumatic brain injury?  Music has been instrumental (no pun intended) in her regaining the ability to speak.

This video shows the effect that music has on an elderly man suffering from dementia.  One of the people interviewed is Dr. Oliver Sacks, a leader in the field of neuroscience.  (He has authored a number of books)  The video is short.  I hope you'll take time to watch it.  It will not only reinforce some of the things you've learned about the brain in class, but it will also make you smile!

(Thanks for finding this, John Crotty!  See?  You've become a brain-junkie--- just like your mom!) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKDXuCE7LeQ&sns=fb

Several Great Articles- The Adolescent Brain

I'm preparing for Session #5 of the Brain-Based Learning Class that I teach for Archdiocese of Dubuque teachers.  During the afternoon session on Thursday, the topic will be the adolescent brain.  While preparing, I came across three wonderful articles that will be good reading for them prior to class--- or more likely--- after class.

Two of the articles are from one of my favorite sources for "novice-friendly" brain information:  National Public Radio.  The third is from Discovery News.

The Teen Brain:  It's Just Not Grown Up Yet   (NPR, March 2010)

Do Juvenile Killers Deserve Life Behind Bars?  (NPR, March 2012)

Teen Brain Wired to Take Risks  (Discovery News, May 2010)

If you're interested in understanding (if that's possible) the adolescent brain, you may want to take a look at these articles.   I was excited to notice that the article on teen risk-taking quotes Dr. Adriana Galvan, the cognitive neuroscientist who spoke at our most recent Brainy Bunch Network in January.  (She's the one pictured in my January post.)

Ever wonder what a neuroscientist looks like?  Well here you go.  (She's the one on the left)  This is Dr. Adriana Galvan, our speaker at today's session.  While she appears to be about 21 years old, the pages and pages listing her many publications, as well as her position as an associate professor and researcher at the Brain Research Institute at UCLA, are pretty sure signs that she's older than she looks!  Dr. Galvan is obviously brilliant, but also had a wonderful way of explaining very complex information to us in a way that was easy to understand.  She presented some of the research that she and her colleagues have been doing on adolescent brain development, and did it in such a way that none of us was ready for the day to end when 3:00 rolled around. 

My problem now, is figuring out how to "capture" what I learned- while it is fresh in my mind.  Dr. Galvan talked mostly about the research she has been doing regarding adolescents and risk-taking.  She also touched upon how the new information about the adolescent brain is creating a need for policy changes- particularly in regard to the juvenile justice system.

I had a number of "ahas" today!  Not only did I learn a lot from Dr. Galvan, but I felt very affirmed regarding how much I know!  I actually understood what she was saying!  It made perfect sense, and provided me with further depth- and better ways of explaining the brain to others.  I am very excited to go back and incorporate what I learned into my classes and workshops!  

So---  before I turn the lights off tonight, my plan is to read through my notes- from the first page to the last.  I'm going to made additional notes in the margins- and compose questions that come to mind to ask of the group tomorrow.  Then, I'll set my notebook aside and go to sleep, knowing that my brain will continue working on consolidating my learning--- while I'm sound asleep. 

Tomorrow- we'll hear from Dr. Jeb Schenk, an educator and author who will provide us with additional information about the adolescent brain, but from a different perspective.  Can't wait.

What a fabulous day I've just had!  I should be exhausted, as I couldn't get to sleep last night and am running on about 3 hours sleep, but for some reason I don't feel tired at all!  My day started at the Waterloo airport at 6:00 AM.  The flight into Minneapolis was delayed for a full hour while we waited for the de-icing machine to do its work.  That meant that my connection in Minneapolis was a quick one!  But I made it to the gate just in time to board-  and then waited for another 45 minutes for THAT plane to be de-iced!  Sounds bad, but I didn't mind all of the waiting at all!  I was about 1/2 way through the book I was reading-  about Congresswoman Gabby Giffords- so I had hours of uninterupted reading time today.  What could be better?  (I highly recommend this book, by the way! Gabby is an inspiration- and what interesting lives she and her husband Mark Kelly have led!)

I've spent the day thinking about my friend, Karen- who made this trip to Napa/ SF with me several times over the past 10 years.  When I entered the gate at SFO, the first thing I saw made me think of Karen-  a full-sized, driftwood sculpture of a horse.  We would always take a few minutes to look at it upon arriving at the airport. 

Then, as I walked past the first gift shop on my way to the baggage claim,  I thought of Karen again.  There was a tall stack of See's brand taffy for sale- Karen's favorite!  On one of our trips together, we stumbled upon a See's store, where they sold every flavor of taffy imaginable.  We spent a considerable amount of time having samples, and Karen always loaded up on boxes of taffy to bring back to Iowa to her family and friends.

Visiting the Muir Woods is ALWAYS done with Karen in mind.  We so enjoyed walking through the woods and looking up---.  The silence- especially in the Cathedral Grove- is amazing.  We used to sit on the benches there- just listening to -nothing.

And tonight, Pat Wolfe had her usual wine and cheese party at her home, to kick-off the annual Brainy Bunch Renewal.  It's such fun connecting with friends from across the county that I only see once each year.  As I was getting ready to leave and go back to my hotel room, Pat stopped me and said she had something to show me.  She led me upstairs to her bedroom, where there was a book on her nightstand.  She said that she had just discovered it in a box of books earlier this week- and had forgotten that she had it.  I don't even remember the name of the book--- but inside the front cover was a handwritten note in Karen's beautiful script.  She had given the book to Pat- and had signed it "Your Forever Friend, Karen".  Pat said that when she came across the book, she sat down and cried.  After pulling herself together, she made a New Year's Resolution in Karen's honor.  She is now journaling every night-  and making note of what she is thankful for each day.  The first entry she made, was that she was thankful for having known Karen Wente.

For those of you who don't know Karen, she was one of the kindest, gentlest, most generous people I've ever known.  For those of you who DID know Karen, you understand completely what I mean when I say she was 'one of a kind'. 

On October 26, 2008, Karen had a massive stroke.  She never regained consciousness, and died nine days later.  Sometimes I still can't believe that she's gone!  When Karen had her stroke, she was at the Gallegher-Bluedorn, helping with a memorial reception for the husband of a colleague.  She was fine one minute, and then it just happened.  One thing about that day that I will never forget--- and that I love remembering--- is that when Karen had her stroke, there was a harpist playing the most beautiful music just a few feet away.  As we scurried around to attend to her- to hold her while we waited for the paramedics to arrive, and while they attended to her and took her on a stretcher to the ambulance--- the harpist kept playing. In all of the chaos,  the harp music kept playing.  I'm sure that Karen loved that.  It was so fitting!

So...  It's been an enjoyable day-  reading, traveling, sight-seeing, and remembering Karen.

Tomorrow:  Learning about the Adolescent Brain! Can't wait! 

5th Graders Learning about the Brain

I just finished a very pleasant afternoon- talking with a great group of 5th grade students about the brain! These students attend DeSales Catholic School in Ossian, Iowa- in the far northeast corner of the state.  Their teacher, Heidi Buddenberg, is a participant in the Brain-Based Learning class that I teach for the Archdiocese of Dubuque.  Since Mrs. Buddenberg is learning about the brain this year to increase her skills as a teacher, she decided to share some of her learning with her 5th grade students.

We used SKYPE as our vehicle for communicating, and while we were a bit nervous as we practiced earlier this week, everything worked very well.  The first part of my presentation to the students focused on just how we know what we know about the brain.  I shared with them stories from the past (Tan, and Phineas Gage) that allowed doctors and scientists to learn about the brain long before technology was available to them.  These two men (and many others) played a huge role in the early years of neuroscience, and are prominent in the literature.  We then moved on to the present day, and the amazing brain-imaging technologies that allow doctors and scientists to look inside brains while they are still alive- inside the heads of living, breathing, functioning humans!  We discussed imaging technologies such as PET Scanning, MRI, fMRI and DTI (diffusion tensor imaging- which allows examination of individual neurons and their connections to other neurons.)  Amazing! 

We then turned our attention to the topic of developing- and sustaining- the healthiest brain possible.  I provided information for the DeSales 5th graders about five 'brain health' topics:

1.  Physical Exercise  ( Good for the heart = good for the brain!  And, BDNF= Miracle Grow for the Brain)
2.  Sleep  (The importance of Consolidation of learning during sleep-  and the effect of sleep on learning.)
3.  Brain Food  (Foods high in antioxidants-  that combat the negative effects of aging- on the body & brain)
4.  Drugs, alcohol, nicotine  (The danger these substances have on the "still-developing" adolescent brain)
5.  Learning  (Learning actually increases the brain's POTENTIAL for learning!) 

We covered a lot of topics!  After each bit of information, the students were given 30 seconds of "think-time", and then 2 minutes to work on their "Ready, Set, Draw" sheets.  For each topic, they had to capture what they had learned in the form of a visual (no words allowed) that they would take home and discuss with their parents tonight. 

It was great fun for ME, and I'm hoping that the DeSales 5th graders enjoyed our time together.  Thanks, Mrs. Buddenberg, for setting this up!  And to you 5th graders---- feel free to contact me again with questions that might arise about the brain.  I may not know the answer, but I'll try to find out for you.

While I love my adult students (the teachers and administrators with whom I work) I was reminded today about how WONDERFUL it is to work with KIDS!  

This is a big week for me!  I leave on Thursday, January 12 for Napa, CA and another installment of learning with Pat Wolfe and The Brainy Bunch!  This year, the focus is on the Adolescent Brain, and we will be hearing from two experts-  one an educators and author, and the other, a neuroscientist specializing in adolescent brain development.  I can't wait!  My intent is to post to this blog several times while I'm gone, to keep you abreast of what I'm learning! 

Thanks for "listening".  I'd love to hear from you!