Park Tudor Blogs

Third graders at Park Tudor School are learning about learning!  As the faculty of Park Tudor continues to study Mind Brain Education (MBE), students in Mrs. Morales, Mrs. DeLaney, and Ms. Herman’s classrooms have also been exploring the concept of neuroplasticity and metacognition through the study of brain structure.

Third graders are learning that the ‘mind’ and ‘brain’ are not synonymous.  Rather, as referenced in the book Neuroteach: Brain Science and the Future of Education, students are learning that “our mind is a set of operations carried out by the brain.” Students are exploring specific physical brain structures and how they influence our thoughts and emotions.  So far, students have learned how the amygdala impacts our emotions, the hippocampus influences our memory, and the prefrontal cortex plays a role in self regulation, executive functioning, and cognitive flexibility.  

Third graders are then learning that different parts of the brain can grow and change. Through a variety of activities such as goal setting, class discussion, videos, logic puzzles, and read alouds, teachers are helping students to understand the concept of a growth mindset. This means that, with deliberate effort, we CAN control our learning.

Students will continue to learn about the brain’s anatomy and growth mindset throughout the school year.

Key Terms and Concepts