This study of 38 right-handed children (age range 90 to 201 months) with dyslexia found characteristic patterns of organization of intellectual functions, of hemispheric specialization, and of reading errors in the subtypes, identified as linguistic dyslexia, perceptual dyslexia, and mixed dyslexia. (DB)

Among 424 Navajo and Hopi high school students, teachers, parents, and Anglo teachers, all Indian groups differed significantly from national norms in brain dominance or learning style. Mismatches between teaching styles and learning styles occurred between Anglo teachers and all Indian students and between Navajo teachers and students. Contains…

Discusses several technical, psychological, and philosophical reasons for the underestimation of reflective teaching that make use of nonrational teacher behavior. Several techniques are described for the promotion of reflection on nonrational processes, such as the use of metaphors, drawing or painting, making photographs, and guided fantasy.…

Explores research on the concepts of intelligences and giftedness. Considers the importance of the brain, its organization and functions, different theories about intelligence and the possibility of boosting it, and changes that occur in brain structure as a consequence of the interactions between genetic traits and experiences. (Author/CR)

A small-group process used for self-directed, continuous professional development tries to integrate three elements: creation of a safe, risk-free, listening ambience; ongoing examination of research on brain/mind learning principles; and implementation and integration of new strategies and practices into a coherent model. (Contains 10…

Brain research must be carefully examined before the implications for education emerge. Getting new neuroscientific information into schools and shifting from traditional educational models is an almost impossible feat. A direct extrapolation of brain research to current educational practice is inappropriate. Also, superseded mental models of…

Examines the weak relationship between structural and functional brain development. Maintains that variability is the basic characteristic of normal development, and that involves the ability to construct pluriform strategies and to select the proper strategy in any particular situation. Argues that McGraw recognized intra- and inter-individual…

The assessment profiles of 30 school-age children identified with either nonverbal or language-based learning disabilities were examined using a self-organizing systems paradigm. Results suggest that overflow into areas not typically associated with each disability subtype may occur. Concerns regarding ways of determining discrepancy for…

Suggests that certain mathematics and science concepts known to be difficult to teach can be learned using spatial-temporal reasoning methods and that music instruction can enhance the "hardware" in the brain for spatial-temporal reasoning. Discusses spatial-temporal and language-analytic reasoning, the Trion model of higher brain function, and…

Describes the process of active learning--consolidation and internalization of information that is personally meaningful and conceptually coherent. Discusses downshifting (a self-protective response that includes reversion to routine behaviors) and the educational practices and conditions that lead to it or reduce it. Describes 12 principles of…

This article uses a self-organizing systems (SOS) framework to explain the complexity of learning disabilities (LD) and suggest that traditional classification schema may be inadequate. It explains principles of self-organizing systems and reviews research concerning reading and math disabilities and the roles of language, attention, working…

Adult musician's brains show structural enlargements, but it is not known whether these are inborn or a consequence of long-term training. In addition, music training in childhood has been shown to have positive effects on visual-spatial and verbal outcomes. However, it is not known whether pre-existing advantages in these skills are found in…

In a perfect world, what would a good classroom strategy look like? It would have to work for any teacher at any grade level in any discipline; be backed by current research in learning theory; be elegant and simple to facilitate but differentiate for each student; be cost effective but use a diverse selection of materials; and be active and…

Language arts teachers and library media specialists bear the responsibility of teaching students how to properly feed their brains. In this article, the author describes how she teaches her students to make wise choices when selecting books. Furthermore, she presents the "Brain Food Pyramid" model that looks similar to the food pyramid but it…

In this article, the author talks about the Westwood Elementary's knitting and crochet club. The idea for this group unraveled when one of their third graders received a knitting kit as a birthday gift. The mother of the student told the author what a wonderful hobby knitting had become for her daughter and how this craft worked to help develop…