ASSETS

What is Your Child Learning in Assets?

October 2014

This year, we are learning about the brain, which helps us understand how to do our best thinking and  learning.  Our focus is on understanding the working of three parts of the brain: the prefrontal cortex (decision maker, problem solver), the amygdala (our warning/alarm system), and the hippocampus (memory and learning storage).  Children in Kindergarten through 4th grade are learning strategies to be mindful, which is to remain focused and alert in the present moment, which connects to preparing our brain for learning.  We are reinforcing the concepts of mindfulness through the practice of mindful breathing, mindful listening, mindful seeing and mindful movement.  We are learning about the neuroplasticity of the brain, which means it has the capacity to grow and change throughout our lives.   We are learning about our Reticular Activating System, which helps the brain filter incoming stimuli so we can learn to focus on what is most important, for maximum learning and comprehension and retention. 

Home Reinforcement:

Ask your child:

What is mindfulness?

Can you show me Mindful Breathing?  Mindful Listening?

What are some strategies you can use to calm your amygdala?

Research shows when children learn and utilize mindfulness skills, it helps them pay attention, manage stress, and ultimately, become strong learners.  Students in 1st-4th grades are also writing in their journals about Mindfulness and strategies for calming the amygdala when it feels “on fire”.

All 5th graders have focused on developing leadership skills in order to apply to be a part of Leadership Council. They are also spending time in Assets learning about the program offered to all Cherry Creek School District 5th graders, called 5th Gear Kids.  If you are reading this and have not received information about this exciting opportunity, or need more information, please contact me.  It is a program which offers incentives as well as a science curriculum, about Energy Balance, which I will be teaching later this year.  We will focus on continuing to develop lifelong habits of physical, academic and emotional health.  We will also be studying the brain as it relates to learning and self-regulation.

 

Mary Pratt

Assets Teacher

Mpratt4@cherrycreekschools.org