tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32573881212959975412026-05-20T03:20:23.683-04:00Blogging about exciting research in the fields of education, mind, and brain to support effective teaching, learning, and living from BrainSMART and the Center for Innovative Education & PreventionDr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.comBlogger296125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-59951479603262114932024-08-23T12:59:00.002-04:002024-08-23T13:00:08.269-04:00

Over the last couple years in these post-pandemic times, Marcus and I (Donna) have been engaged in doing professional development as we celebrated over 25 years of doing so together! Engaged with educators and others in a number of communities across the world, we know that the past few years have required new strategies and ways of being in order to maintain wellness and joy.We enjoy

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-72867487238987646172022-05-03T12:57:00.000-04:002022-05-03T12:57:05.096-04:00

As we get closer to the end of another school year, we wanted to revisit one of our strategies that has been popular with teachers as an effective summary to show students the many great things they've learned.We call this practical, easy-to-use tool "Celebrating Learning With Year Mapping." This activity gives your current students a chance to feel good about what they’ve learned and provides

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-57277085753959137652022-02-23T12:26:00.002-05:002022-02-24T12:54:13.869-05:00

As the challenges continue unabated in schools, educators find themselves dealing with an unprecedented level of stress and anxiety. They feel the weight of responsibility required to keep their students safe while also feeling concern for their own health and wellbeing. Amidst the noisy debate about whether to have remote learning, in-person classes, or some type of hybrid model, teachers are on

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-30306088540812479412021-09-03T11:48:00.004-04:002021-09-03T11:48:45.863-04:00

As the new academic year gets underway, my mind is flooded with images of the many passionate and knowledgeable teachers that Marcus and I have met throughout the years. We are in awe of how well you have handled the challenges of the past 18 months and know that, with your resilience and dedication, you will create the very best learning environment for your students in this coming school year.

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-12081721208930607112021-07-14T11:41:00.004-04:002021-07-14T11:47:09.795-04:00

By Donna Wilson Do you believe students become smarter through learning or that intelligence is determined at birth? The former belief is compatible with a growth mindset, while the latter is consistent with a fixed mindset. The distinction between these two points of view is the basis of Marcus’ and my latest book with ASCD, Developing Growth Mindsets: Principles and Practices for Maximizing

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-2303022884171468012021-06-16T17:12:00.000-04:002021-06-16T17:12:37.217-04:00

Donna will present "Cultivating Growth Mindsets: Strategies That Work" at ASCD's 2021 Annual Conference: Empowered and Connected. This virtual conference, happening live from June 23-25, is the biggest international educational event of the year. With conference sessions that feature a stellar lineup of speakers, you will learn best practices, strategies, and skills that will inspire you and

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-83748667818976207562021-05-20T15:54:00.003-04:002021-05-20T16:16:06.338-04:00

As we approach the end of a school year like no other, it’s fitting that teachers take time to congratulations themselves—and their students—for persevering during the challenging circumstances of remote and/or socially distanced learning. In fact, there is no better time than May or June for giving out academic kudos. Graduations and awards assemblies—even if conducted remotely—provide the

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-2742031204017759662021-03-10T11:05:00.003-05:002021-03-10T11:33:15.725-05:00

We are pleased to share with you our recently published ASCD article! In this piece, we discuss how the science of learning can be used to make professional development meaningful and memorable.by Marcus Conyers and Donna WilsonOver two decades, our BrainSMART professional development program has employed a teacher-centered focus, with positive effects on teachers' reactions to training and their

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-30369901726219155992021-02-03T12:51:00.001-05:002021-02-03T13:03:14.348-05:00

As the COVID-19 pandemic moves into its second year, experts are expressing concerns about the long-term effects that remote learning are having on the ability of young students to achieve optimal academic results. There is an emotional and social toll as well. Students who learn exclusively at home without a classroom component are missing out on the in-person connections with teachers and other

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-44637005977390911902021-01-06T11:29:00.001-05:002021-01-06T11:29:48.654-05:00

Today, more than ever, good nutrition is essential to staying healthy. Eating a well-balanced diet has been proven to boost our immune system, which is a critical defense in guarding against the most devastating impacts of COVID-19.Maintaining a healthy weight, limiting our sugar intake, eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoiding processed foods are among the ways we can fortify

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-56704652047305223042020-12-01T11:34:00.007-05:002020-12-01T11:47:12.008-05:00

The various types of learning models being used during the COVID-19 pandemic have changed the way that teachers interact with students and with their parents. Whether teachers are at schools that currently use in-person, remote or hybrid learning approaches, they need parental support and cooperation more than ever to enhance their effectiveness. Parents and teachers, working in partnership, can

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-54217184033928597142020-11-04T11:30:00.007-05:002020-11-04T11:34:47.086-05:00

During the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers’ schedules have become more hectic than ever. Not only are they teaching classes—either virtually, in person, or a combination of the two—but many also are juggling family responsibilities and participating in their own children’s schooling. With so much going on in their lives, it can be difficult to set aside time for regular physical exercise—and yet it’s

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-41517970444731646662020-10-12T09:40:00.008-04:002020-11-04T11:44:09.564-05:00

As the COVID-19 crisis continues unabated in the new school year, teachers find themselves dealing with an unprecedented level of stress and anxiety. They feel the weight of responsibility required to keep their students safe while also feeling concern for their own health and wellbeing. Amidst the noisy debate about whether to have remote learning, in-person classes or some type of hybrid model,

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-24567270046308476782020-05-29T12:08:00.000-04:002020-05-29T12:11:39.272-04:00

Helping students of all ages to develop a growth mindset will enable them to experience higher levels of success! That’s the main message of our latest book, Developing Growth Mindsets: Principles and Practices for Maximizing Students’ Potential, published by ASCD. In our new book, we stress that human beings have tremendous potential to acquire new knowledge and develop new

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-65558742353196336392020-05-19T12:00:00.001-04:002020-05-29T12:12:47.668-04:00

We are pleased to hear from educators around the world who have received the May issue of EL, ASCD’s magazine for educational leaders. The issue features “Believing in the Brain,” an article that Marcus and I wrote on the importance of teaching students about brain plasticity as a means of helping them develop a growth mindset.  The issue is devoted to the theme, “Learning and the Brain

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-41682014561281387672020-03-13T13:29:00.002-04:002020-03-13T13:30:31.117-04:00

  Marcus Conyers and I are pleased to announce that the second edition of Five Big Ideas for Effective Teaching: Connecting Mind, Brain, and Education Research to Classroom Practice will be available April 10 from Teachers College Press. This is the latest version of our bestselling book, designed to empower educators with an innovative and inspiring conceptual framework for effective

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-75440693102485889612019-09-11T12:48:00.001-04:002019-09-13T20:20:45.092-04:00

As another academic year begins, my mind is flooded with images of passionate and knowledgeable teachers we have met through the years. We feel grateful to have the privilege of getting to know you and to be able to continue to learn with many of you. Something I read recently reminded me that one of many things that makes you so special is that you each possess a generous spirit of giving to

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-86479949690774495752019-08-27T11:47:00.000-04:002019-08-27T11:47:15.931-04:00

I am excited to announce that I will be presenting a full-day Pre-Conference Institute next year at “ASCD Empower, the Conference for Learning, Teaching, & Leading Together,” which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles. Pre-Conference Institutes will take place March 12 and 13, with the conference to follow on March 16-20.Entitled “Cultivating Growth Mindsets: 20

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-59590971151891212792019-08-14T15:30:00.000-04:002020-03-09T13:31:12.048-04:00

The images that form in your mind as you read—we call them "brain movies"—can be more exciting and memorable than a Hollywood film. More to the point for teachers and parents, guiding youth to visualize as they read is an engaging and enjoyable way to boost comprehension and retention. Learning to create brain movies can help students make sense of complex nonfiction subject matter and "see"

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-65221948014977390982019-07-30T17:55:00.002-04:002020-03-09T13:31:31.186-04:00

Children travel at different speeds on the road to reading success. Earlier in my (Donna’s) career as a teacher and school psychologist, I noticed that even on the first day of kindergarten the gap between the highest and lowest performers on measures of reading readiness and ability could be as much as six years. So, creating reading experiences so that all students have the opportunity to

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-74334924762432608842019-07-09T14:51:00.002-04:002020-03-09T13:31:44.938-04:00

A key difference between children who can read well and those who cannot is the ability to use metacognition, which can be understood as being thoughtful about what you read. Continue on to learn more about this key skill and how to help youth develop it. Metacognition can be regarded as a conversation readers have with themselves about what they are reading. Metacognitive readers enjoy

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-47372609208165801202019-06-11T13:00:00.000-04:002019-06-11T13:00:09.380-04:00

We are pleased to see that our work, Teaching Students to Drive Their Brains, was used in year-long programming in which West Virginia high school teachers helped identify barriers to learning. Teams of teachers from four Harrison County High Schools participated in the program, which also entailed testing solutions to address the barriers they identified. According to an article that appeared

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-83785009406438033632019-05-15T12:22:00.003-04:002019-05-15T12:48:36.100-04:00

To coincide with National Women’s Health Week, we wanted to bring attention to our message that strength training, regular exercise, and better rest are all important components for assuring that teachers remain fit, alert, and up for the physically demanding job of teaching. Marcus and I made this point in a blog post for Edutopia, entitled “Good News for Teachers: Exercise Builds Brain Power,

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-28052916495573668162019-04-09T15:49:00.001-04:002019-04-09T15:59:28.379-04:00

Given that students spend much more time outside of school than in the classroom, partnering with parents can be an effective way to help children and youth enhance their executive function. Reinforcing messages and strategies related to taking charge of their thinking at home also illustrates how truly useful it can be to be the boss of your brain. Many parents won't be familiar with the

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257388121295997541.post-69236672518641495122019-03-21T16:56:00.003-04:002020-03-09T13:39:05.052-04:00

Did you know learning actually changes your child’s brain as it’s developing? What if they understood this concept? Helping kids understand their brains can contribute to the development of a “growth mindset,” which enables kids to overcome obstacles and believe they can improve. That mindset leads to higher levels of motivation and academic achievement—and it starts with metacognition.

Dr. Donna Wilson http://www.blogger.com/profile/00310732319967597540noreply@blogger.com0