Download - Tirp teens 2013
Teenagers: Is anyone in there????
TIRP IV 11/9/13
“How Are You Today?”(choose one of these)
Passionate Very BlessedAmazing Nearly IllegalSlightly Irregular AwesomeExcellent Beautiful It’s a Long Story Feels like June
•“(They) carry everything too far; they love to excess, they hate to excess- and so in all else. They think they know everything.”
Aristotle
The answer to:• “What were you thinking?”
• “Why in the world did you think that was an OK thing to do?”
“Brain Damage”
• Bill Cosby
Are today’s kids brains different?
• Read the handout- look up when finished.
• Find a partner at least 2 rows away and sit.
• Discuss and agree on the 5 statements that you think are having the biggest impact in your classrooms.
Brains areVulnerable
• We know that brains absorb positives. It quickly learns brand new languages, picks up culture and the family’s experiences.
• But this same brain also absorbs negatives.It absorbs toxins, mixed messages, apathy, problems fear, anger, threats or violence.
Begin with Prior KnowledgeBegin with Prior Knowledge
Let’s figure out what we
already know about
teen behavior.
Myths about Teens
1. T F Peers influence how kids turn out more than parents
2. T F Birth order plays a significant role in teen behavior
3. T F Teens learn how to behave by watching parents
4. T F Teenagers lying is a direct result of bad morals or lack of ethics.
5. T F The content of what teens learn is mostly irrelevant outside of school
Myths about Teens 6. T F Extreme positive parenting may help a
very troubled kid succeed7. T F The teen brain is like an adult’s, but with
much less experience8. T F The relationship with their parents
influences teen behaviors9. T F Terrible parents may turn a normal kid
into a delinquent10. T F The correlations between behavior at
home and behavior outside the home are very large and statistically significant.
Quiz Answers
1. T F… Peers influence how kids turn out more than parents-- YES…After age 5
2. T F… Birth order plays a significant role in teen behavior-- Controversial-mixed studies
3. T F… Teens learn how to behave by watching parents -- Most parents do things teens don’t
4. T F… Teenagers lying is a direct result of bad morals/ethics-- Often it’s a typical teen brain.
5. T F… The content of what teens learn is mostly irrelevant outside the school-- Most schooling
offers little to teenage lives except voc/ed.
Quiz Answers 6. T F… Extreme positive parenting may help a very
troubled kid succeed-- Yes, it can and does.7. T F… The teen brain is like an adult’s, but with
much less experience. Different in many ways.8. T F…The relationship with their parents
influences teen behaviors.-- In narrow areas.9. T F… Terrible parents may turn a normal kid
into a delinquent-- Only the bottom 25%.10. T F… The correlations between behavior at
home and behavior outside the home are very large and statistically significant-- No way.
Common Conflict areas between teens and teachers
Teacher issues Teen issues
Unfinished work vague directions
Bullying boring lessons
Tardiness/truancy failure as a threat
Lying/cheating inconsistency
Attitude/inattention “they don’t listen to me”
“Why do I need this?” “Why do I need this?”
Story Time!
• Look over the 6 areas of concern (complaint) teens have about their teachers.
• What one complaint do you think your students might have about your class that is valid?
Story time part 2
• Form groups of 3 or 4 using your number cards. If you are an even number, you must be in a group of other “evens”, odds with odds.
• Find a comfortable place to STAND and take turns briefly sharing your teen complaint. Brightest colored shirt goes first.
• Listeners will ask a question or offer suggestion.• I will signal “30 Sec” with one whistle and “time to
stop” with 2 whistles.
Old Paradigm: Little to Big Brains New Paradigm: Predictable Periods of
High Vulnerability (0-5 and 12-18)
Overview of Teen Brain:5 Behavior-Related Features
• Vulnerability to stress, rewards or risky behavior
• Greater sensitivity to rewards but less awareness
• Lessened ability to read or manage emotions
• Fuzzy brain is sleepy and weak at spontaneous problem-solving skills
• Poor at future orientation
>Time in School = >Dendrites
Teen Brain Issues
#1:Vulnerability to stress, rewards or risky behavior
Coping Strategies
• Drugs, alcohol, smoking
• Antisocial behaviors
• Eating disorders
• Depression, suicide, cutting
• Lying
• Denial
Perry, B. (1997) and Surgeon General Report (1999)
What do adolescents worry about?(Stressors)
• Schoolwork and tests
• Strained relationships with parents and peers
• Pressure for good college/good job
• Money
• Insecurity about appearance and physical development
• Global issues
• Concern about future
Stressors continued
• Individual crises
– Death of a friend/family member or poor health
– Poverty
– Discrimination
– Family violence
– Divorce/separation
Vulnerability to Stress, Rewards or Risky Behavior
Compared to any other age group, teens have a greater vulnerability to the challenges of:
•Stress, pressure and anxiety
•Drugs and medications
•Reward-type behaviors
(gambling, smoking, racing,sex, foods, screen time, etc.)
Causes of Teen Vulnerability
The most likely cause involves highly unstable levels of brain chemicals (dopamine, serotonin and
GABA) and receptor sites that have not had the “exposure” or “experiences” that adults
typically have.On the right, the red you see
are the dopamine sites.
Teens and Drug Abuse:Using Ecstasy as an Example
Research Tells Us Drugs Do Long Term Brain Damage
Note damage to serotonin neurons years after ecstasy abuse
Reality Checks for TeensShows Real Damage From Drugs
Posters for sale at…http://amenclinics.com/store/
Examples of Vulnerability
If a teen and an adult, age 30, both experienceddrugs for the first time, the odds are much greaterthat a teen would become addicted to them (ecstasy, cigarettes, alcohol or meds). Stressed teens are more likely to become depressed or use drugs. This is a risky time of life!
The Results… Teens have the
highest risk of any age group for:
• Head injuries
• Drug usage
• Car accidents
• Unsafe behavior
• Depression
What does Dr. Phil say? Teen: Texting and Driving
Teens Lead All Age Groups With Cases of Depression
Social Status Strongly Influences the Brain
Social Status and the BrainSocial experiences
throughout life influence gene expression,
dendritic remodeling, brain chemistry, heart
rate and behavior. However, during our early years, these influences have a
particularly profound effect.
Cha
mpa
gne
and
Cur
ley
(200
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Teachers Strongly Influence Student Social Status
How? Through
affirmation, drama, teams,
recognition, cooperative
learning, positive feedback, skill-
building and giving responsibility and leadership roles
The #1 most idiotic thing I
ever had a student do.
Stop-N-Think
• Stop #1 What have you learned so far that you can put to use in your teaching?
Teen Brain Issues
#2:Greater sensitivity to effects of stress,drugs and rewards but they have muchless awareness that it’s happening
Sensitivity to RewardsSensitivity to Rewards
• Greater sensitivity to rewards but less awareness of the effects of any substance.
• This means a teenager who smokes dope, uses crack or drinks alcohol needsmore to feel the same effect.
• But their body is being affected MORE than an adult’s body.
• This can create catastrophic risks.
Binge Drinking Starts Early;Teens Have Delayed Awareness
Teens Seek Novelty (green) before their Built-in “Brakes” (frontal lobes) are Ready
Question: Is the teen brain closer to that of an adult or a 3 year old?
Teenage Risky Behaviors…“We Won’t Get Caught”
• Unauthorized Parties• Sneaking Out Late• At the Wrong Places• Driving Fast• Using Drugs/Alcohol• Accepting “Dares” • • Seeing Forbidden Others
Resistance to Peer Pressure Grows with Age…Early Teens Especially Vulnerable
Marijuana is #1 Illegal Drug
for Teens 13 and Older (alcohol is #1 legal drug)
Changing Brains• Gray matter (brain cells) thickens
first (between ages 11-13) and later thins (reduces 7 to 10%) between the ages of 13-20. There’s a growth spurt of gray matter in the teen brain. (Paus et al., 1999).
• Electrocortical evidence indicates that a wave of synaptic proliferation occurs in the frontal lobes around the age of puberty onset. This may account for the “fog” of the teen brain. (McGivern et al. 2002)
This 15-year longitudinal study shows the vast amount of
brain changes during the teen
(12-19) years.
Think Legos, not LegolandThink Legos, not Legoland• Teen brains often Teen brains often
overproduceoverproduce synapses, synapses,causing slow andcausing slow andfrustrating decision-frustrating decision-makingmaking
• Frontal lobes are still Frontal lobes are still very immaturevery immature
• Certain areas are Certain areas are growing very rapidlygrowing very rapidlybut are unconnectedbut are unconnectedTeens are often in a
developmental fog
Use it Or Lose It
• Get into groups of 3 by your number cards (one group is 1,2,3 next group is 4,5,6 etc. Hint: #1,4,7,10,13,16,19, 22, 25, 28, 31 are looking for the next two higher numbers)
• The “middle” number in each group will pick up handouts for everyone.
Use it or Lose It con’t• There are 3 main paragraph. Assign those
paragraphs by number card order.
• Everyone in group silently reads article.
• For your assigned paragraph create 1 question you would like to ask the others.
• Ask questions in order.
1 train whistle means 30 sec. left
2 train whistles, time to stop
Inside the Teenage Brain
• The Wiring of the Adolescent Brain
Video clip
Teen Susceptibility to Age-related Risks
• Teens are particularly susceptible to the risky Teens are particularly susceptible to the risky extremes of novelty. Novelty juices up their extremes of novelty. Novelty juices up their unstable systems with brain chemicals like unstable systems with brain chemicals like dopamine and noradrenaline. dopamine and noradrenaline.
• They choose short-lasting, immediate rewards They choose short-lasting, immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards. Their under-over larger, delayed rewards. Their under-developed frontal lobes play a significant role in developed frontal lobes play a significant role in reckless behaviors.reckless behaviors.
Stop-N-Think
• Stop #1 What have you learned so far that you can put to use in your teaching?
Teen Brain Issues
#3:Lessened ability to read or manage emotions
1 in 12 High School SeniorsFaces Serious Distress
The Teenage Emotional “Stew”
• Emotions are essential to learning, and teens are still learning how to understand
and manage emotions.
• They are poor at reading emotions, and weak at selecting the right friends.
• They often can’t read sarcasm, nuances or hints very well or get their mind outside their own world of feelings.
Inside the Teenage Brain
• “You Just Don’t Understand”
Video clip
Emotional Processing SpeedSlowest at Ages 13-18
When Teens Get Depressed, When Teens Get Depressed, Affected Brain Areas Hurt Affected Brain Areas Hurt Cognition and MemoryCognition and Memory
Teen Report on Their DepressionHighlights Magnitude of Stressors
Actual Depression Stats May Exceed “Official” Numbers Says Teen Report
Depression and Drug AbuseCorrelated at Ages 12-17
Teens and SuicideNearly 2 million
adolescents in the U.S. each year attempt
suicide, and almost 700,000 receive
medical attention for their attempt. From
ages 10-24, every year the risk increases. (AACAP, 2001).
The Emotional Brain
In the mature brain, more of our everyday decisions are a result
of many integrated areas. In the teen brain, many
decisions are made by an instant unfiltered reaction
from the amygdala, shown on the right.
Hypothalamus driven individuals:
– Male (males have larger hypothalamus and, in general, are more driven by it)
– Hypothalamus knows 3 words: eat, kill, sex (Robert Sylwester)
– Biggest reason for HDI is the way brain functions: thoughts fire neuron pathways. Every firing makes it easier to fire the next time. The more often you think something, the easier it is to think the next time.
– Kids reflect the world they grow up in.
Time for… Wake up the Brain
Directions
I’ll read off the numbers listed in black, in sequence. After each number, the letter
below tells you what to do:
“H” = raise hands, say “Hooray!”
“S” = flash a “Hollywood smile” to your neighbor
“C” = clap twice
1 2 3 4 5H C S H S6 7 8 9 10C S H S H11 12 13 14
15S C H S H
More DirectionsI’ll still read off the numbers listed in
black, in sequence. Under each number, the letter is now in either CAPS or lower
case. If it’s in CAPS, respond while standing up. If in lower case, respond
while seated. Remember…
“H” = raise hands, say “Hooray!”
“S” = flash a “Hollywood smile” to your neighbor
“C” = clap twice
1 2 3 4 5h c S H s
6 7 8 9 10c S H s H11 12 13 14
15s c H S H
Even MORE Directions
I’ll still read off the numbers. If there’s an underline, do everything the same as in the last slide. BUT, on the next slide, do the opposite of what it would have been. Here’s an example…“H” (by itself) = stand and say “Hooray!”
BUT…With a sequence of “s - C - H” … the underscore on the “C” means the next letter, “H” is now a be seated “Hooray!”
1 2 3 4 5h c S H s
6 7 8 9 10c S H s H11 12 13 14
15s c H S H
Stop-N-Think
• Stop #1 What have you learned so far that you can put to use in your teaching?
Teen Brain Issues
#4:The Fuzzy Brain:Sleepy and poor at spontaneous problem-solving skills.
Bored? Let’s Ask 81,000 Students from 110 High Schools
Data was collected and analyzed by the Project director of Center for Evaluation and Education Policy. The study was Indiana University's Annual High School Survey of Student Engagement (HSSSE). The survey was released 2/28/07.
How Often They’re Bored in School
Source: Yazzie-Mintz (2007) Indiana University's Annual High School Survey of Student Engagement (HSSSE). He’s project director of Center for Evaluation and Education Policy. Survey released 2/28/07.
Teens Tell Why They’re Bored
Source: Yazzie-Mintz (2007) Indiana University's Annual High School Survey of Student Engagement (HSSSE). He’s project director of Center for Evaluation and Education Policy. Survey released 2/28/07.
• Students spend over one in four minutes slumped, sleeping or resting (28% of their time) in a state of apathy (Csikszentmihalyi, 2005)
• A monitor recorded the amount of time kids ages 8-15 spend in the upright position. Of the 529 in this study, mean uptime was 5.4 hours (range 1.5 to 10.3 hours) Eldridge, et al. 2003.
Data on Adolescent States
Effects of “Fuzzy Brain”Teens are more likely to do
“stupid” things and to lie about it than those at other
ages. They can’t think through…
1) better options
2) how to tell parents/teachers the truth
3) the likelihood of getting caught eventually
Teens and “Fuzzy Brains”
• Teen brains are in a wild state of metabolic flux, PLUS:
• Many teens eat poorly which can impair cognition
• Many teens don’t exercise
• Many teens do drugs/alcohol
• Teens are influenced by “mob” mentality” of their peers
Why Do Some Teens Often Appear “Brain-Dead”?
• Typically, teens have significantsleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness (Carskadon et al. 1998).
• The result is typically drowsy teens in class and academicunderperformance. (Maquet, 2001)
• Less sleep contributes to poor emotional regulation (Dahl, 1999).
• Daytime naps are a great idea for teens (Maquet, et al., 2002).
Inside the Teenage Brain
• “From zzzzz’s to A’s”
Girls Take the Lead• The frontal lobes of girls
mature faster than those of boys during puberty. (Sowell et al., 1999).
• This lets girls “connect the dots” better than boys. While female brains maturebetween 18 and 25, it takes boys longer (age 20-28) to catch up to girls’ brain development.
Teach teens HOW to
organize their thoughts.
Mind mapping is
one of many smart graphic
organizers.
Stop-N-Think
• Stop #1 What have you learned so far that you can put to use in your teaching?
Teen Brain Issues
#5:Poor at future orientation
What Drives Their Brains toMore Risky, Crazy Behaviors?
• Their brain is experiencingnew feelings (fun and pleasure)from brain chemicals that they’ve never had before!
• Yes, hormones do play a part in the attraction and risk-taking of sexual nature (mating)
• In addition, other forces include:being liked by peers (affiliation), and thinking that they are in charge (autonomy).
Risk Perception Skills Weaker in Teens than in Pre-Teen Years
Teens often make decisions even a 9-year-old
would call stupid. “What were
you thinking?”
Emotional Processing SpeedSlowest at Ages 13-18
Lack of Planning • Teens have trouble anticipating the
consequences of their behavior because they rely on their immature frontal lobes.
• They don’t see options very well. They get confused easily under stress and rarely plan more than one move ahead.
• One reason they get in trouble is they don’t think ahead of how to solve potential problems for each upcoming adventure.
Practical Suggestions
Proactive problem-solving is essential. Help them think through potential awkward situations and emergencies to anticipate problems and develop solutions. Discuss pros and cons of various options. On the spot, teens will be unlikely to do this, and that failure could cost them their lives.
Teens and Crowd Morality• Most legal infractions, injuries and fatalities
occur with peers in the “mob effect.” Teens are highly susceptible to peers—more so than to parents or teachers.
• Teenagers spend an average of 28 hours a week digital (video, TV, internet, etc.) and most of it is spent alone.
• Teens often seek out peers (even if it’s negative) and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors in peer groups than alone.
Stop-N-Think
• Stop #1 What have you learned so far that you can put to use in your teaching?
Teaching teenagers?