Lesson 11: Why the Brain is

Like a Muscle

• What is something that you used to not be good at, but now you are?

– Write a few sentences on your own.

• How did you learn and improve?

– Share with a neighbor & neighbor shares with class.

Pair Share

• Some people do pick things up quicker than others and seem to have a “natural” ability.

• However, not all of those people succeed.

• The difference is that only some put in great effort, adjust strategies, and seek help.

The truth about success…

1. The brain is made up of cells called _______ that are connected to lots of other ________.

2. The brain thinks thoughts by sending _________ across these connections.

3. Your brain performs better by ____ right, _____ well, and embracing ________.

TODAY, LET’S LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW EVERYONE’S BRAIN CHANGES WHEN THEY LEARN!

Review From Last Session

dendritescell body

axon axon transmitters

Parts of a Neuron

What is something that you used to not be good at, but now you are?

Write a few sentences on your own.

How did you learn and improve?

Share with a neighbor & neighbor shares with class.

Brief Writing Task

• The brain transfers information through connections of neurons.

• When you try new things that are really hard, the brain makes new connections to transfer information better and faster.

• Even if you don’t feel like you’re learning, you’re getting smarter when you’re trying hard.

How the Brain Learns

Your brain is like a muscle!

It grows through effort and challenging exercise.

The Brain Muscle

Remarkable Rats

• Twin rats• Cage with just food

and water

• Twin rats• Cage with puzzles,

exercise equipment, etc.

• Better at learning• 10% heavier brains!

• Isolated group of guerrilla fighters – living in the jungle.

• Taught some of them to read and write.

• The ones who were taught actually had bigger brains.

Review: Guerilla Fighters Study

Scientists measured the hippocampus of London cabbies…

The cabbies’ hippocampus was bigger:• The longer they were on the job• The bigger this area grew.

Cabbies Study

A man lost his frontal lobe…• Became an impatient and emotional man• Over time, he was able to become patient and calm

Phineas Gage

Forming new connections by working on new challenges

Forming new connections by working on new challenges

Brain Video

The belief that your basic qualities

and abilities are things that you can

change and grow.

Through effort, the right strategies and getting help from others, you can achieve more than you thought you could.

Growth Mindset

Fixed Mindset & Growth Mindset

Fixed Mindset:

The belief that you have a certain amount of intelligence, a certain personality, and a certain moral character that cannot be fundamentally changed.

Growth Mindset:

The belief that your basic qualities and abilities are things that you can change and grow.

With practice, you can develop:• Intelligence / Academics• Physical ability• Personality

Mindset: Many Aspects

• Read silently.• Writing task on your own paper:

• Imagine that a new 9th grader just flunked the first math test of the year.

• What are two things that you learned in the article that you could say to help them get more motivated to increase their math ability?

Scientific Article

“In the past I’ve always had trouble with Math and English. Why shouldn’t I say that I’m just not good at it and quit trying?”

“Other people in my family didn’t have success, and we have the same genes. So why should I have success?”

How would you answer these “Fixed Mindset” statements?