"One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures." --George W. Bush, Jan. 3, 2000
So today I attended the first day of a two day conference! It was really fantastic! Trouble is that I had to leave a little early. I was in the middle of a session about brain anatomy and how it relates to the way kids learn. It sounds technical and dull, but the presenter was incredibly dynamic and the subject was really interesting! What blew me away is the research about neurogenesis--the building of new brain cells. It was originally thought that one could not grow new brain cells. Recently it's been discovered that brain cells can be regenerated in two sections of the brain. What causes the brain cells to grow? Physical exercise! Interestingly, I had recently read a study that found that seniors who exercise regularly reduce their chances of getting Alzheimers by about 60%. There was much more to the session and there were a lot of implications as to how this knowledge can be used in the classroom. Therefore, isn't it ironic that school systems everywhere are reducing instruction in phys. ed. and music--subjects which have been proven to boost learning--to make more time for test preparation? I won't bore you with another rant on this topic. It's what happens when politicians stick their noses in the classrooms of America.
While we're on the topic of education--heres a ***BONUS***
Bushism of the day!
"Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" --George W. Bush, Florence, South Carolina, Jan. 11, 2000
I guess that explains a lot!
No knitting news today!
Kitty Cam:
It's a "Greg in the Box!"
OMG, the Bush-isms are so frightening. Wow. That is the really interesting on the physical exercise generating brain cells thing - and a very interesting thought about the potential impact of cutting this activity and music out of the curriculum. Hmmm.
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