Build the Brain for Reading, Grades 4-12

by Pamela A. Nevills

Overview

Engage students' brains with state-of-the-art literacy strategies. This reference infuses the most current neurology research into concrete steps for targeted, developmentally appropriate reading instruction.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412961110
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	10/18/2010
Pages:	188
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Pamela Nevills is first and foremost a teacher of children and adults. Her passion for teaching includes a full range of educator experiences from teaching in the primary grades, to teaching middle and high school, to being a teacher supervisor and instructor in university undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. She participates in local, state, and national educational committees in the area of special education. As a two-time member of the instructional textbook selection committee for reading in the state of California, she brings expert knowledge of how children learn to read, and the materials teachers can use to follow the science of reading.

Her passion for the cognitive and neurological aspects of reading stems from interactions with Dr. Pat Wolfe. Nevills is a national and international speaker and consultant on topics that include reading standards according to the Common Core; brain development from infancy to adulthood; all aspects of cognitive, neurological involvement for reading; and school management and design for teaching reading. Writing became a part of Nevills’s work as she published for newsletters, the state of California, the Journal of Staff Development, and Corwin. Her involvement also includes research and studies for church organizations and an advisory board position for preschool.

To contact Pamela Nevills, please email [e-mail]..

Table of Contents

Foreword Patricia Wolfe v

Preface vii

Acknowledgments x

About the Author xi

1 Learning From Childhood to Adulthood 1

Are Mind and Brain the Same? 2

Serious Brain Matters-Learning Attributes of Students' Brains 4

Learning at Any Age 6

2 Brain Structures Accessed for Reading 18

Overall Appearance of the Human Brain 18

Hemispheres and Structures 19

What We Know About the Learning Brain and Readiness to Read 26

3 Learning and Neuron Activity 32

Serious Brain Matters-Neurons and Neuroplasticity 32

Teaching to Increase Learning Potential 40

4 Memory Systems and Learning 49

What Is Known About the Brain and Memory 49

Serious Brain Matters-Memory Is More Than Neurons 61

How Teachers Engage Students With Exceptional Learning-Being Neurosmart 65

5 Reading With Comprehension, Automaticity, and Fluency 68

Learning and Good Readers 69

Comprehensible Reading 74

Serious Brain Matters-More about the Brain's Filtering Systems 78

6 Motivation and Ability to Learn Through the Grades: How Different is an Adolescent's Brain? 85

How Adults Learn 86

Serious Brain Matters-Particular Changes During Adolescence 89

Student Concern for Learning 100

7 Neurology and Technology for All Aspects of the Curriculum 102

Neurosmart Teaching 102

The Basics-Capture Attention to Create Learning 104

The Basics-Infuse Technology Into the School Setting 109

Serious Brain Matters-Students Remember Many Assignments but Attend to One 110

Technology Assignments 113

8 Older Students Who Struggle With Reading to Learn 118

Adolescent Literacy Today 119

Serious Brain Matters-Differences in the Brain's White Microstructures 120

The Complex Nature of Reading Comprehension 124

9 Neurology for All Content Areas 135

Neurology Influences All Subject Areas 135

Foreign Language 136

Visual and Performing Arts 138

Social Studies and History 140

Mathematics 140

Science 144

Health 147

Physical Education 149

Neuroeducation, a New Adventure 150

10 Resources, Connections, and Future Classrooms 151

Students' Attitudes Influence All Subject Matter Classes 151

Infuse Technology Into Classrooms 153

Infusing Neuroscience Into Classroom Practice 156

Focus Interview Questions 169

Glossary 171

References and Further Reading 176

Index 183

Editorial Reviews

"Pamela Nevills isn’t just another researcher. She is that rare expert who takes the time to ensure the research is accessible for busy educators who want to stay on the cutting edge!"

Heather Driscoll

"The author describes foundational concepts in accessible terms, and then provides specific suggestions for explaining these concepts to students in terms that are meaningful and accessible for them. This truly unique approach makes this text a valuable tool for educators. "

Anne Jones

"Pamela Nevills has crystallized the major components of brain-based learning in ways that will help teachers, counselors, principals and parents to lead students through effective transitions as readers, learners and doers in our 21^st century world. "

Carol J. Carter

"Finally, educators have a book that makes understanding the relationship between the brain and student learning less daunting. Upon reading this book, reflective practitioners have no choice but to constantly assess the appropriateness of their instructional strategies based on the newly acquired knowledge of the organ we require students to use most in our classes. "

Rosalind La Rocque

"Finally, educators have a book that makes understanding the relationship between the brain and student learning less daunting. Upon reading this book, reflective practitioners have no choice but to constantly assess the appropriateness of their instructional strategies based on the newly acquired knowledge of the organ we require students to use most in our classes."

Rosalind LaRocque