List of Practitioner’s Corners
Preface to the Fifth Edition
Publisher’s Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction
Looking Inside the Brain
Implications for Teaching
Why This Book Can Help Improve Teaching and Learning
What’s Coming Up?
Chapter 1: Basic Brain Facts
Some Exterior Parts of the Brain
Some Interior Parts of the Brain
Neuron Development in Children
The Brain as a Novelty Seeker
What’s Coming Up?
Chapter 2: How the Brain Processes Information
The Information Processing Model
What’s Coming Up?
Chapter 3: Memory, Retention, and Learning
How Memory Forms
Stages and Types of Memory
Learning and Retention
Factors Affecting Retention of Learning
Learning Motor Skills
Daily Biological Rhythms Affect Teaching and Learning
Intelligence and Retrieval
What’s Coming Up?
Chapter 4: The Power of Transfer
What Is Transfer?
Teaching for Transfer
Additional Thoughts About Transfer
What’s Coming Up?
Chapter 5: Brain Organization and Learning
Brain Lateralization
Spoken Language Specialization
Learning to Read
Learning Mathematics
Difficulties in Learning Mathematics
Mathematics for English Language Learners
What’s Coming Up?
Chapter 6: The Brain and the Arts
The Arts Are Basic to the Human Experience
Why Teach the Arts?
Impact of the Arts on Student Learning and Behavior
Music
The Visual Arts
Movement
What’s Coming Up?
Chapter 7: Thinking Skills and Learning
Characteristics of Human Thinking
The Dimensions of Human Thinking
Revisiting Bloom’s Taxonomy of the Cognitive Domain
Other Thinking Skills Programs
What’s Coming Up?
Chapter 8: Putting It All Together
Students Should Know How Their Brains Learn
What About the Flipped Classroom?
Daily Planning
Unit Planning
Maintaining Skills for the Future
Conclusion
Resources
Glossary
References
Index
DR. David A. Sousa is an international consultant in educational
neuroscience and author of more than twenty books that suggest ways
educators and parents can translate current brain research into
strategies for improving learning. A member of the Cognitive
Neuroscience Society, he has conducted workshops in hundreds of
school districts on brain research, instructional skills, and
science education at the preK–12 and university levels. He has made
presentations to more than two hundred thousand educators at
national conventions of educational organizations and to regional
and local school districts across the United States, Canada,
Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
Dr. Sousa has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bridgewater
State University in Massachusetts, a master of arts in teaching
degree in science from Harvard University, and a doctorate from
Rutgers University. His teaching experience covers all levels. He
has taught senior high school science and served as a K–12 director
of science, supervisor of instruction, and district superintendent
in New Jersey schools. He was an adjunct professor of education at
Seton Hall University for ten years and a visiting lecturer at
Rutgers University.
Prior to his career in New Jersey, Dr. Sousa taught at the American
School of Paris (France) and served for five years as a foreign
service officer and science advisor at the US diplomatic missions
in Geneva (Switzerland) and Vienna (Austria).
Dr. Sousa has edited science books and published dozens of articles
in leading journals on professional development, science education,
and educational research. His most popular books for educators
include How the Brain Learns, now in its sixth edition; How the
Special Needs Brain Learns, second edition; How the Gifted Brain
Learns; How the Brain Learns to Read, second edition; How the Brain
Influences Behavior; How the ELL Brain Learns; Differentiation and
the Brain, second edition (with Carol Tomlinson); and How the Brain
Learns Mathematics, second edition, which was selected by the
Independent Book Publishers Association as one of the best
professional development books. The Leadership Brain suggests ways
for educators to lead today’s schools more effectively. Dr. Sousa’s
books have been published in French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic,
Korean, Russian, and several other languages. His book Brainwork:
The Neuroscience Behind How We Lead Others is written for business
and organizational leaders.
Dr. Sousa is past president of the National Staff Development
Council (now called Learning Forward). He has received numerous
awards from professional associations, school districts, and
educational foundations for his commitment to research, staff
development, and science education. He received the Distinguished
Alumni Award and an honorary doctorate from Bridgewater State
University and an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Gratz
College in Philadelphia.
Dr. Sousa has been interviewed on the NBC Today show, by other
television programs, and by National Public Radio about his work
with schools using brain research. He makes his home in south
Florida.
"How the Brain Learns is both professional and accessible. Of all
the texts I have used for courses over the years, this one gets the
best reviews from students. They love the diagrams and charts that
make the concepts concrete and easier to grasp, they love the pithy
quotes summarizing major points along the way. (Many of those
quotes have found their way into student final papers and projects
in my courses – all appropriately cited too!) I personally love the
way the "What Do You Know" quiz at the beginning is carried all the
way through with answers revealed and explicitly pointed out as
they come up in context. It makes the book more cohesive and adds
to the flow of conversation and reflection. My students are always
blown away with the information and section on the neuro myths.
Many have been taught these myths in their other teacher courses
and many lively conversations are triggered by this section.
Another strength of the book is the overall progression of topics
and natural flow or rhythm to the material, which adds to the
comprehension and accessibility. The discussion of action research
is especially appreciated as I try to include mini research
projects in my courses, and it’s great to have the rational and
description in the same book as the information about the brain.
The Practitioner’s Corner, Classroom Connections and thought
provoking-questions make the book personal and meaningful for each
of my students. "
*Kris Dreifuerst, Graduate Teaching Lecturer, Neurodevelopmental
Approach to Teaching*
"This book’s greatest strength is definitely its user friendliness.
It reads easily and has good illustrations and examples of
concepts. Just about every part of the book contains useful
information. The Practioner’s Corners provide application
opportunities. My students love it!"
*Kathleen Kremer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor*
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