Sleep Well to Think Well

Posted by Linda | Filed under Connect | |

On the QT Newsletter, Sleep Well to Think Well
May 13, 2008
SleepWelltoThinkWell.pdf

Did you know? Sleep is powerfully linked with our ability to learn. As we approach the end of the semester, students undoubtedly will forgo a good night’s sleep to study for finals and complete postponed projects. We will watch them replace needed sleep with caffeine and bleary eyes - only to see a decline in their ability to remember the very things they stayed up late trying to learn. While going without sleep may be considered a big plus in today’s fast paced, global society, not getting needed sleep is neither healthful nor helpful. In John Medina’s new book, Brain Rules, he provides evidence that supports the fact that in order to learn well, one must sleep well. To get your students thinking about the power of sleep and how to get more of it, try this activity.

1. Watch this 2 minute video “Sleep Well, Think Well.”
2. Ask students some questions about their sleep habits: How many hours do you think a person needs to sleep? What happens when you don’t get enough sleep?
3. Distribute the attached Student Activity Sheet: Sleep Well to Think Well. (This activity does not measure fatigue but rather one of the primary symptoms — daytime sleepiness.)
4. Instruct students to complete and score their quiz.
5. Discuss the results and ask students if and how they plan to get more sleep.

Summer Smart! The Brain Rules site has incredible information and applications you can apply in your classrooms. John Medina not only tells us the facts, but also provides ideas we can use to boost the brainpower of our students and create more meaningful learning experiences … Keep their attention by using the 10 minute rule; apply the rule of thumb for better recall; and help students take advantage of their short and long term memories. Medina’s site and his easy to read book, will give you access to what scientists have uncovered about what’s going on inside our heads.

On the QT will be off for the summer. We hope you will use the WBL site to review and use some of the QT’s and student lessons you did not have time to use this year. Please email Susan Coleman and let us know how you are using the QT and what topics you would like to see more of.

Happy Summer … See you in the Fall!