Teach the Way the Brain Learns discusses organizing learning experiences under themes. Once the brain has stored basic concepts in the curriculum, the storing-by-association system of the brain attaches new information to those basic concepts, building new ones as students have learning experiences that involve them in integrated subject matter. Thematic teaching has been around for quite a while, stemming from John Dewey and 'learning by doing.' Teachers need to return to it in view of the effects of narrowed curricula resulting from nationwide emphasis on testing and on rating schools based on student achievement. This book provides ways for teachers to link subjects and areas of learning for various teaching situations and takes readers from simple correlation through using published thematic units now available and on to developing their own interdisciplinary themes or in team efforts with other colleagues.
Madlon T. Laster retired from a forty-two-year career as a teacher, mostly middle school grades. She taught overseas in Tehran, Iran and did teacher-raining in Beirut, Lebanon for five of those years.
Table of Contents
Foreword Introduction: The Brain Is Wired to File by Association You Don't Have to Go Whole Hog at the Beginning Coordinate and Correlate: Schedule and Share Integrating Interdisciplinary Approaches Social Studies Can Rule the Day: Themes to Lesson Plans Theme-based Learning Activities Simulations: Do-It-Yourself and Ready-Made Some Successful Examples from the Past Developing Geography and Friends Epilogue: Last Thoughts
