I attended a few interesting sessions (Race in the classroom / A 6th Grade Transition Class) and a few not so interesting sessions (geocaching). But, the highlight for me was an opportunity to sit and talk with other educators from around the country. I found myself in a discussion group with teachers from all sorts of backgrounds - from across the country - and vastly different socioeconomic schools...and we talked about what's best for kids in the middle school. I got a sense of pride in that many of items other teachers "wished" their schools would do, Patton is already doing.
This session was more about the developing adolescent than creating a positive learning environment. Having read The Teenage Brain , a lot of the information shared was not new to me. One interesting take away - an MRI of a brain after eating sugar is similar to an MRI of a brain on drugs (I think it was heroin). The few examples of creating a positive learning environment included incorporating movement and allowing for interaction. I was hoping to take away ideas on how to get students who are hesitant to join groups and participate more involved.
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