Category Archives for Psychology, Sociology & The Brain

Grandparents Raising Grandkids

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about the theories of how and what goes on in the minds of children with Aspergers syndrome and develop an understanding of how they think.
2. Teachers will research the generational issues, beliefs and values of our technology and media culture as they impact the parenting relationships of the generational divide.
3. Educators will examine the difficult issues regarding why the biological parent/s is not raising the child as well as the other family and social dynamics that arise.
4. Teachers will review the physical and emotional issues that aging grandparents have and how it affects their ability to provide for, nurture and educate their grandchild.
5. Teachers will develop writings, research this topic and develop lessons or activities that utilize the course content to improve the learning and school experience of everyone.

Engaging Teens and Tweens

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the new findings in brain research that explain how the brain learns, make new connections and how our thinking is changed through brain plasticity.
2. Participants will be presented with the various changes that the brain makes during adolescence and explore how technology and the media have changed how the brain functions with the new generations of students.
3. Educators will learn about making material meaningful, how emotions affect the brain and learning as well as how stress affects the brain and body.
4. Participants will explore techniques for managing student psychological states in order to engage them in learning and help them to recall and apply knowledge.
5. Educators will research this topic as it applies to student choices regarding drugs, promiscuity, and alcohol as well as to their broader decision-making abilities.

Emotional Intelligence: Why Can it Matter More Than IQ

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the emotional brain and what emotions are for in human development and interactions along with the anatomy of emotional connections.
2. Participants will explore self awareness of knowing thyself and the consequences of excessive passion or emotional hysteria that can be unproductive.
3. Educators will be presented with general concepts of why and how aptitude, empathy and emotions are interrelated within the human social arts.
4. Participants are presented with how the mind and medicine are interrelated and how to manage the heart regarding trauma and emotional relearning.
5. Educators can examine how the lack of emotional literacy can be costly in human relations and how to use emotional intelligence concepts in school environments.

Understanding Eating Disorders for Schools

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will acquire a framework of the culture of poverty and the role of language.
2. Participants will learn about the hidden roles among social classes and how those roles influence how students work, behave and perceive the school experience.
3. Educators will learn about the characteristics of generational poverty and how the patters of behavior, problems and world views are passed to future generations.
4. Participants will explore the resources, role models, discipline and support systems.
5. Educators will research the culture of poverty issue regarding alternative theories and conclusions presented in the book, as well as present a variety of solutions.
6. Teachers will develop a lesson or unit plan that utilizes strategies or activities in the book and how to use instructional techniques to improve student achievement.

Dealing with Difficult Parents

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the historical dynamics of today’s parent and their relationship to schools, how that has changed and how to handle parenting situations that may arise.
2. Teachers will be presented with a variety of strategies to communication and cultivating relationships with parents as well as being proactive to avoid potential problems that may arise in difficult situations.
3. Educators will examine ways of presenting bad news or other student deficiencies to parents in a manner that is none threatening and yet is consistent with school policy.
4. Teachers will explore the curriculum's focus and how teachers, principal, students, and parents all contribute to the harmony of a positive school experience for students.
5. Educators will then research this topic and parent involvement in monitoring student responsibilities such as homework as well as parent involvement in school activities.

Coaching for Success: A Teacher's Guide

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn how to bring the coaching spirit into the classroom and develop trust and relationships that go beyond the general standard instructional format.
2. Teachers will review basic listening, feedback and questioning techniques. Paradigms of situational coaching will be presented for using intuition and a responsibility for results.
3. Educators will be presented with clarifying life goals and school purposes along with visualization techniques so students can set specific goals and visualize outcomes.
4. Students will be able to use the Law of Attraction to enhance their learning and school experience and preserver regardless of obstacles and setbacks to achieve academic goals.
5. Teachers will develop writings, lessons and affirmations for classroom and student applications that make their students dreams possible as well as for educator success.

Child Obesity: Change Your Brain, Change Your Body

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will be presented with the ten principals for changing your brain and body that includes the brain's physiology and action steps to address any deficiencies.
2. Participants will learn about balancing brain chemistry to regain control over cravings and the will power robbers that keep individuals from their optimal weight.
3. Educators will learn about the ideal foods to meet the nutritional needs of the brain in order to function at optimum levels both physically and mentally for focus and learning.
4. Participants will review the role of exercise to the body as well as the value to the brain that include positive behavior, better sleep, hormone balancing and other benefits.
5. Educators will examine the new brain and body science as it relates to them personally and develop lessons or activities that address health and child obesity issues in schools.

Boys and Girls Learn Differently

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Students will have a working knowledge of the inherent differences in learning approaches between boys and girls and how their minds are different.
2. Participants will analyze the social and psychological dynamics involving gender differences such as brain functional and chemical differences, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of taking a gender approach.
3. Educators will learn how to identify high-performing at-risk students and what parents can do to intervene when their child begins to fail in school.
4. Educators will examine the ideal classroom environments for pre-school, elementary, middle and high school classrooms. Strategies that stimulate and nurture student learning are also provided.
5. Teachers will write chapter reviews, research the topic and develop an application paper or lesson project activities that utilize the course content as it applies to classroom instruction and learning environments.

Biology of Belief

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the new developments in science and biology regarding myths and realities of cell functions, genetic predetermination and the primacy of DNA.
2. Participants will learn about the significant impact that environment has on cellular biology, healthy body functioning, disease and how thoughts affect the brain and body.
3. Educators will be introduced to Epigenetics: the new science of self-empowerment and the laws of quantum physics as they relate to human improvement and behavior.
4. Participants will view The Living Matrix: The New Science of Healing DVD to explore bioengenetic research and knowledge from holistic healers, scientists and psychologists.
5. Educators will examine their professional lives as they relate to working in today's schools and how they can integrate the course content in classrooms and schools.