The Teenage The Teenage BrainBrain

Consequences Within the Consequences Within the ClassroomClassroom

BRAIN FACTSBRAIN FACTS

Let’s do some myth-Let’s do some myth-busting.busting.

Myths – TRUE OR Myths – TRUE OR FALSE?FALSE?

We use 10% of brainWe use 10% of brain

FALSE!FALSE! We use all of our brain. We use all of our brain.

Under PET scans and CAT Under PET scans and CAT scans, different areas of scans, different areas of the brain are used, but we the brain are used, but we use our whole brain.use our whole brain.

The effect of extreme deprivation in The effect of extreme deprivation in infancy: This child suffers from emotional infancy: This child suffers from emotional

and cognitive problems.and cognitive problems.

Myth?Myth? As we age, we lose our brain cells.As we age, we lose our brain cells.

FALSE!FALSE! The brain can continue to learn and The brain can continue to learn and

“make connections” until death.“make connections” until death.

Myth ?Myth ? Every drink kills 10,000 cellsEvery drink kills 10,000 cells

FALSEFALSE Every drink does not kill Every drink does not kill

10,000 cells.10,000 cells. Scare tactic.Scare tactic. Drinking Drinking doesdoes affect affect

development – especially development – especially fetus and teenagers.fetus and teenagers.

Does Size Matter?Does Size Matter?What is the biggest organ What is the biggest organ in the body?in the body?

The SkinThe Skin

Skin – 6 lbsSkin – 6 lbs Brain, 2.75-3 lbsBrain, 2.75-3 lbs

There is no correlation There is no correlation between brain size and between brain size and ability.ability.

BRAIN FACTSBRAIN FACTS

At rest, it uses 25% of At rest, it uses 25% of the body’s energy.the body’s energy.

A strong heart keeps a A strong heart keeps a brain healthy.brain healthy.

Brain Facts, continued …Brain Facts, continued …

We have 1 hundred billion neurons.We have 1 hundred billion neurons.

NeuronNeuron

One Trillion PenniesOne Trillion Pennies

We have about 1 Quadrillion We have about 1 Quadrillion ConnectionsConnections

Structure and Structure and Changes in the Changes in the Teenage BrainTeenage Brain

In the beginning …In the beginning … In the early years, the brain nearly In the early years, the brain nearly

triples in size and weight. triples in size and weight.  There is a huge buildup of neural There is a huge buildup of neural

connections. connections. This is followed by a massive This is followed by a massive

reorganization at the reorganization at the terrible two’sterrible two’s..

By adolescence, the brain has almost reached its full size, and conventional wisdom had it that the adolescent brain was fully developed.

The conventional The conventional wisdom was wisdom was wrongwrong … … as every parent and as every parent and teachers of adolescents teachers of adolescents had already suspected.had already suspected.

What’s not finished What’s not finished 1 of 31 of 3?? The prefrontal lobes – this part of the The prefrontal lobes – this part of the

brain is still developing during the brain is still developing during the teen years, perhaps not finished into teen years, perhaps not finished into the late twenties.the late twenties.

The prefrontal lobe is responsible The prefrontal lobe is responsible for the following:for the following:

Reasoning abilityGoal and priority settingAbility to make sound judgmentsPlanning and organization of multiple tasksImpulse inhibitionSelf-control Emotional controlDetermining right from wrongDetermining cause and effect relationships.

And that’s not quite it either … (2 And that’s not quite it either … (2 of 3)of 3)

Cerebellum isn’t finished either!Cerebellum isn’t finished either!• Best known for controlling movement, Best known for controlling movement,

but also coordinates cognitive but also coordinates cognitive processes.processes.

• Physical activity influences the Physical activity influences the cerebellum, so … cerebellum, so …

• Sports/physical activities are goodSports/physical activities are good for the brain.for the brain.

Unfinished business, Unfinished business, part 3part 3

The amygdala is The amygdala is used for instinctive used for instinctive emotional reactions.emotional reactions.

AmygdalaAmygdala Matures before the frontal Matures before the frontal

lobe.lobe. So, adolescents respond with So, adolescents respond with

gut reactions before reasoned gut reactions before reasoned ones.ones.

This accounts for impulsive This accounts for impulsive and risky behavior.and risky behavior.

Also accounts for …Also accounts for …

CourageCourage

Medal of Honor (MOH)Medal of Honor (MOH)““(they) have courage to the men (they) have courage to the men around them. around them. And, finally, they And, finally, they

are young menare young men.” Richard .” Richard Nixon to the MEDAL OF HONOR Nixon to the MEDAL OF HONOR

RECIPIENTS 1969RECIPIENTS 1969

MOH recipients range from 12 to MOH recipients range from 12 to 3030

Behavior Effects of the Behavior Effects of the AmygdalaAmygdala

ErraticErratic Behavior Behavior• Compulsive BehaviorCompulsive Behavior• Pleasure/Thrill SeekingPleasure/Thrill Seeking

Alcohol-Drug AbuseAlcohol-Drug Abuse PromiscuityPromiscuity

• LimitsLimits ““How much can I do?”How much can I do?” ““How much can I get away with?”How much can I get away with?”

You’ll recognize this …You’ll recognize this … The “Emotional Crisis”The “Emotional Crisis”

• To us, yet another frivolityTo us, yet another frivolity• Very real to themVery real to them

SOLUTIONSSOLUTIONS

Keep a level head. Keep a level head. Remain calmRemain calm.. Sympathize. I say, Sympathize. I say,

“Unfortunate.”“Unfortunate.”Remain firmRemain firm – this does not – this does not

excuse behavior.excuse behavior.

I’m Scared (Dealing With Feelings)I’m Scared (Dealing With Feelings)byby Elizabeth Crary, Jean Whitney Elizabeth Crary, Jean Whitney

So when you So when you give your look …give your look …

Don’t be discouraged …Don’t be discouraged …

They just …They just …might notmight not … …

““get it”get it”

CreditsCredits Pat Wolfe, Ed.D.Pat Wolfe, Ed.D.

• 3rd Annual Differentiated Instruction 3rd Annual Differentiated Instruction ConferenceConference

• Las Vegas, July 10-13th.Las Vegas, July 10-13th. http://www.dana.org http://www.kokogiak.com/megapenny/ http://www.historychannel.com/mailcall/ www.medalofhonor.com