Doodles Anyone?

Are you one of those people who has to doodle to listen well? You're in good company! According to a study by psychologist Jackie Andrade from the University of Plymouth in southern England, doodlers remember more than non-doodlers when presented with tedious information. One reason Andrade offers for this increase in memory is that doodling doesn't allow daydreaming which, in turn, keeps a person from attending to what is going on. Doodling requires less brain function than daydreaming but uses enough energy to keep the brain from making a jump beyond the here and now.

Would you like to put your students' doodling to the test? It's time for Doodle 4 Google.  Here is a place where young artists have an opportunity to have their doodles published.  The theme this year is "If I could invent one thing to make the world a better place . . ." Submissions are due by March 20th, and the winner receives a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 Google for Education technology grant for his/her school.

Find out more about Doodle 4 Google here.

Cloud, John. "Study: Doodling Helps You Pay Attention." Time. CNN, 26 Feb. 2009. Web. 4 Feb. 2014. <http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1882127,00.html>. 

Brain Breaks

Just in time for testing, try some of these Brain Breaks from the Michigan Department of Education, physical activities to get their brains flowing!

Learn some "Smart Moves" with Brain Gym® Exercises that can be implemented in any classroom to engage both sides of the brain.

At Games for the Brain you and your students can play interactive computer games that get the mind working in many directions.  Many of these games can be played at the interactive white board by individuals or as a group.  Chinese Checkers is a fun starter with easy rules for a variety of ability levels.

Brain tip: Change Your Environment! Eat lunch somewhere new, drive a new route to work (for students take a new path to your classroom), or change your household routines. Changing your environment helps to keep your brain stimulated.