Marcia Tate

20 Instructional Strategies that

Engage the Brain
Carmen Ryan

Research

Researchers observed over 1k classrooms.

Engaged vs. on task vs. off task

No engagement = only 10% retention rate

Engagement = up to 90% retention rate

Teach 3x before students learn

Habit = 21 days or 28x

Marcia studied functions of brain cells the

past 14 years, coming up with 20
strategies.

Benefits

Increase academic achievement for

ALL students

Decrease behavior problems by

minimizing boredom in class &
increasing confidence in those who use
poor behavior to compensate for
inadequacy.

Make teaching and learning fun

Quotes

One learns to do by doing. Aristotle

Tell me, I forget.

Show me, I remember.
Involve me, I understand!
Old Chinese Proverb

20 Strategies

Brainstorming & discussion

Drawing and artwork

Field trips

Games

Graphic organizers, semantic maps, word

webs

Humor

Manipulatives, experiments, labs, models

Metaphors, analogies, similes

Mnemonic devices

Movement

20 Strategies Cont.

Music, rhythm, rhyme & rap

Project/problem-based instruction

Reciprocal teaching & cooperative learning

Role plays, drama, pantomimes, charades

Storytelling

Technology

Visualization & guided imagery

Visuals

Work-study & apprenticeships

Writing

Partner Up for Activities!

Partner Pull while teacher reads

continent story

Shoulder Clock while teacher reads

continent story again

Tree Pose Challenge while teacher

reads continent story leaving out
continent names for students to
verbally fill in.

Strategies Used

Storytelling

Reciprocal teaching & cooperative

learning

Movement

Procedural or muscle memory is one

of the strongest memory systems in
the brain and is the reason one
seldom forgets how to ride a bike.
It's accessed when the body is
involved while one is learning. When
there is a brain/body connection,
memory is enhanced.