The Brain
Why your Brain really doesn’t like
school!
Triune Brain
Made up of 3
parts- Reptilian,
Mammalian
(labeled here-
limbic system),
and Neo Cortex
Each area has
a separate
process
Neo-Cortex
Largest part
Responsible for all significant learning
Helps support development of personality and
social abilities in the Mammalian
Intellectual capabilities developed here
Reason and logic developed here
Morals developed here (so you know the
difference between right and wrong and will
recognize consequences)
Slowest part of the brain to react or change
Mammalian
Social part of the brain
Defines your personality (shy, outgoing,
funny, serious)
Makes you joke, talk, network
During adolescence it’s especially
overactive and struggles with finding an
identity
Reptilian
Amygdala is located here
Fight or flight instincts are here
Extreme emotions originate here
When the Amygdala is triggered it affects all
other parts of the brain
All new learning goes through Amygdala
first- if you’re brain is a club, the Amygdala
is the bouncer
Some key facts
Memory occurs when brain cells communicate and form
gels
Your brain is programmed to forget
Your Amygdala is a tough bouncer for your brain it won’t let
anything stay and hang out unless its convinced its worthy
40% of humans are kinesthetic learners
When you connect learning with many senses you
increase your ability to remember
When you force your brain to come in contact with
information repeatedly you also increase your chances of
memory
To tell your teachers…
How much do you learn in your classes if
you are doing the following?
– Listening to lectures 5%
– Reading 10%
– Teacher demonstration/modeling 20%
– Discussion 50%
– Practice and applying 75%
– Students teach others 90%
More on the Amygdala
When you are afraid, angry, or anxious your Amygdala is
automatically put on alert- it immediately takes over your
entire brain
At 14 your Amygdala is growing VERY rapidly
In girls around that age the Amygdala causes extreme
mood swings and wants to make social connections
In boys around that age the Amygdala causes physical
aggression
Your neo cortex is not fully developed until your Amygdala
is
– Girls neo cortex is fully developed around 20-22
– Boys- 26-30
Your Amygdala is not used to running the whole brain
however it’s experience is in keeping you safe
What are some instances when we would not feel safe?
Thoughts
If your Amygdala takes over, what happens
to reason and logic that are located in the
neo cortex?
How do we keep the Amygdala from taking
over?
What experience have you had with your
Amygdala taking over? What mess did you
have to clean up after?
News Article
Why doesn’t your brain like school?
Disclaimer: all information in this
powerpoint has been paraphrased and
summarized from others researched- it is
much more complex than we have time for,
but I wanted to share with you the
information as it affects you in EST.