The ideal Brain Building MiddleSchool

1. The ideal Brain Building MiddleSchool By Gabe Semenza and Timmy Barrick

2. Sleep and the Teen brain! Facts: • Teens need- around 9 hours of sleep to function at their best • Melatonin- produced later at night and in morning as pubertal development progresses • Lack of sleep: Limits learning, listening, concentrating and problem solving • Memories and connections are strengthened while you’re asleep and are being processed Sleep is very important!

3. Stress Middle school can be very stressful • When stressed- pituitary gland releases adrenaline and cortisol- faster heartbeat, tense muscles, blood pressure goes up • Stress can interfere with decision making • A little stress- helpful, a lot of stress- anxious to the point where you can’t function • Long term stress- makes person overwhelmed and can weaken the bodies immune system

4. Relaxation Down time can be just as important for brain building as schoolwork • While at rest- brain is in “default mode” • Brain is making different type connections- communication skills, understanding of the world, social connections and reflection • Down time – also relieves stress • Allows kids to be well rested and attentive in school the next day

5. New school schedule for the teen brain! *No Homework!

6. The schedule in detail • Three classes a day: 1 hr 45 min long- get more out of the classes • Classes would have a physical activity/exercise portion- people who are fit- larger basal ganglia: helps maintain attention and ability to coordinate actions and thoughts • School starts later- more sleep • Study periods- reinforce connections • A week and B week- alternates which classes you have three times a week

7. Homework • Homework amounts have risen- past 30 years • Studies show science, history, and English homework- almost no impact on test scores • Every time we pull a memory- it strengthens and becomes more lasting- notes and reading don’t have this effect The only homework in our schedule would be to study for upcoming quizzes and tests • Allows middle schoolers to have • More sleep • More time for extracurricular activities and relaxing • Less stress • Less class time wasted on checking homework

8. Questions… Thank you

9. Sources • http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbo=d&biw=1278&bih=651&tbm=isch&tbnid=boqNUn9ntokrNM:&imgrefurl=http://blog.eventbrite.com/11-ways-to-improve-your-sleeping-habits/&docid=oTxVs-rEmtWFnM&imgurl=http://blog.eventbrite.com/wp-content/uploads/sleep-on-books-1.10.12.jpg&w=500&h=385&ei=mFGpUOSyJ-iD0QGI_4EI&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=4&vpy=166&dur=8510&hovh=197&hovw=256&tx=146&ty=94&sig=112187549250334652199&page=1&tbnh=140&tbnw=182&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:152 • http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/teens-and-sleep • http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/28/sleep-memory-linked_n_983902.html • http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct01/sleepteen.aspx • http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/phys-ed-can-exercise-make-kids-smarter/ • http://health.yahoo.net/experts/allinyourmind/4-reasons-your-brain-needs-quiet-time • http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/opinion/sunday/quality-homework-a-smart-idea.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 • http://www.pamf.org/teen/life/stress/managestress.html#Exercise • http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/emotions/stress.html • http://blog.gaiam.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/cynthia-down-time-photo.jpg