From the Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 8
Last week Mr Kennaugh sent the Leaders of Learning Wellbeing Team an article by Linda Graham. She has written a book titled "Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Wellbeing."
The Article was written May 7th, 2020 and was titled "8 Ways to Care for Your Amazing Brain."
In the Year 8 Wellbeing Lesson I summarise the eight ways for students to help them care for their 80 billion brain cells!
According to the Article, it is so important to protect and care about our brains for long term health and well-being. It is so important that we make positive lifestyle choices that protect, exercise and strengthen our brains.
How do we take care of our brains?
According to Linda Graham, there are eight ways to care for our brains. These are the eight ways:
1. Move It!
Exercise makes us smarter! Exercise can help us think more clearly.
Consequently I am encouraging Year 8 students to enter the PDHPE Challenge, which was posted on Year 8 Google Classroom on 8th May. I hear rumours that the only exercise some Year 8 students have done when in lockdown is going to the fridge, returning to the couch and then back again!
2. Aim for Deep Sleep:
We all need 8 hours (9 hours for growing teenage brains). When we are asleep the brain consolidates learning and memories from the day. Sleep improves our immune system, absorbs the stress hormone cortisol and makes us strong to face the day in the morning.
Don't we all feel better when we have a good night's sleep?
3. Eat a Mind Diet:
A diet which includes lots of vegetables, dark leafy greens, nuts, berries, whole grains, fish, poultry and olive oil is just perfect for our brains.
4. Build Your Brain Cell Reserve:
To improve and strengthen our brains; we can learn:
* to play a musical instrument – that’s what’s happening in Year 8 Music!
* to speak a foreign language - that's why students study Japanese!
* to play a complex game like chess. (Students can join the College Chess Club – please email Mr Silva for more details.
5. Get Creative, Be Curious.
I also encourage Year 8 students to enter the St Andrews College Art Competition. Students need to email Miss Mamuk for more details.
In terms of learning it is so important to be curious. The classic Greek questions of how, why, where, when and what were the consequences that are the essentials when students are curious in their research and learning.
6. Laugh Out Loud.
Laughter is great way to make friends and bond with people.
7. Hang Out with Healthy Brains.
Be with positive friends and be positive yourself with others. An encouraging friend is worth more than gold!
8. Turn Off Technology.
As I write this, I hear Year 8 yelling;
"Oh Miss - you are always on about this!!!"
My reply is,
"Yeah I know, but it is so important! At St Andrews College we truly care about our students! “
The Well-Being Experts such as Linda Graham has reinforced this rule. Teenage brains are still developing and need rest!
Once the students read the summary of Linda Graham’s Article, I asked the students to create either a poster, a power point, a poem, a song or a quiz with the purpose of telling others the eight ways to care for the amazing brain.
Even before the end of the day students were sending me their work and I would like to share some with you dear Reader!
Until next time,
Regards
Melissa Blackwell
Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 8