Brain Bibliography

An ASCD Professional Inquiry Kit. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Alexandria, VA USA. (800) 933-2723. http://www.ascd.org Stock no. 999003.

Caine, Renate Nummela and Caine, Geoffrey. Unleashing the Power of Perceptual Change: The Potential of Brain-Based Teaching. 1997.

This book continues their exploration by unveiling what the authors call perceptual orientations, differing views of reality that frame the ways people think about education and teaching. The Caines believe that unleashing genuine student potential requires educators with a particular outlook on reality. That outlook includes an appreciation for the interconnectedness of everything.

Campbell, Don G. The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind and Unlock the Creative Spirit. 1997.

Stimulating, authoritative, and often lyrical, The Mozart Effect offers dramatic accounts of how doctors, shamans, musicians, and others use music to deal with everything from anxiety to cancer and chronic pain, from dyslexia to mental illness.

Classroom of the 21^st Century. (50 minute video and handbook)

Observe an ITI fourth grade classroom where all curriculum content and skills are orchestrated around a yearlong theme. Hear students speak for the power of the model. A comprehensive, 75 page handbook, accompanies the video.

DeBono, Edward. Six Thinking Hats.
This is a tremendous tool for anyone working in a corporate setting and looking for new ways to generate ideas and choose the right one. This unique, easy-to-follow approach provides a strategic advantage for helping people discover strategic advantages for their products and services. A few years old but still light years ahead of many other tools and alternatives.

Diamond, Marian and Hopson, Janet L. Magic Trees of the Mind: How to Nurture Your Child’s Intelligence, Creativity, and Healthy Emotions from Birth Through Adolescence. 1998.

Leading University of California at Berkeley researcher Marian Diamond joins forces with award-winning science writer Janet Hopson to present a comprehensive enrichment program designed to nurture a child's intelligence, creativity, and emotions from birth through adolescence. Line drawings. A remarkable book--both a guide for perplexed parents and an absorbing tale of scientific discovery. Its provocative subtitle offers a promise that the authors fulfill abundantly.... Free of jargon yet highly informative, this book is filled with intriguing anecdotes and details.

Hart, Leslie A. Human Brain and Human Learning.

Orchestrating learning that is bodybrain-compatible must be the foundation for what goes on in the classroom. Hart brilliantly explains the biology of learning related to classroom practice and allows the reader to “see” what is necessary for real reform efforts to succeed. The read comes to appreciate how the brain makes meaning through pattern recognition, prepares to act through mental programs, and responds to emotion.

Hannaford, Carla. The Dominance Factor: How Knowing Your Dominant Eye, Ear, Brain, Hand, & Foot Can Improve Your Learning. 1997.

This book focuses on Basal Dominance Profile, which determines reactions during stress and/or new learning. Understanding our limitations to learning under stress allows us to be more compassionate with ourselves and others it also provides an understanding of why whole mind/body integration can support and facilitate the genius within all of us.

Healy, Jane M. and Healy, Jane A. Failure to Connect: How Computers Affect Our Children’s Minds – for Better and Worse. 1998.

Longtime educator and administrator Healy is actually a fan of computers. But she is dismayed that so many people in and out of education hold the almost religious conviction that computers in classrooms equal better learning experiences. Making children computer literate, she argues, in no way guarantees they will develop the cognitive skills they need. In fact, she presents much evidence that computers can help children disconnect intellectually, emotionally, and socially. When examining educational software, for example, Healy finds many problems. Among them: far too many programs are set up to allow the children themselves to select the tasks to be done and the levels of difficulty. She shows how businesses can deceptively package advertisements as computer education, too. But she also provides much practical advice, including methods for choosing good software and numerous activities to foster critical thinking. A must-read for educators, parents, and home-schoolers.

Jensen, Eric. Completing the Puzzle: The Brain-Compatible Approach to Learning.

The author provides an introduction to brain-compatible learning by organizing succinct summaries or the research into useful categories. Chapter titles include instructional strategies, the environment, curriculum, assessment, and organizational approaches. Applications of the research for classrooms, schools, and districts are provided in the form of charts, checklists, and practical examples. The extensive bibliography points the direction to follow-up reading in greater detail. This is a helpful reference both for beginners and those experience in brain-compatible approaches.

Kovalik, Susan J. Iti: The Model Integrated Thematic Instruction. 1993.

ITI: The Model is the most comprehensive book available on integration for grades K-6. It describes clearly and succinctly the brain research base which makes ITI so powerful for students, and provides practical step-by-step explanations of how to create a brain-compatible classroom and develop a yearlong theme as a structure for integrating all basic skills and content areas. Loaded with curriculum examples, implementation tips, starting points, and timelines. Practical, insightful.

Pert, Candace B. and Chopra, Deepak. Molecules of Emotions: Why You Feel the Way You Feel. 1997.

A science book that reads like a novel Dr. Pert shares the exciting story of her discoveries explaining the biology behind the body/mind as an integrated system. Learn how information substances link brain, body, and immune system through continual communication. Educators following rain research are keenly aware of the vital role of emotions in the learning process. This book strengthens the rationale for ensuring a safe, threat-free environment for learning. This break-through book is an essential part of every professional educator’s library.

Riverdance: The Show, Special Education featuring the Original Dublin Production. Columbia Tristar Home Video. 84060.

Sylwester, Robert. A Celebration of Neurons: An Educator’s Guide to the Human Brain. 1995.

Dr. Sylwester, professor emeritus at the University of Oregon, offers educators an introduction to “the only mass of matter in the known universe that can contemplate itself,” the human brain. Only by understanding how our brain functions, how it interacts with the outside environment, how it determines what’s important, how it solves problems, how it adapts itself to the environment, and how it learns, remembers, and forgets, can we understand the significant role that the fast-moving field of brain research plays in improving teaching and learning.

Developed by: Kathryn Markovchick & Corda Ladd – mesupport_network@manchester.u42.k12.me.us