Effects of Laughter class on test performance. Bridget says: Just wanted to share a celebration with you. 90% of my class scored on grade level on the national standardized literacy test (Basic Early Assessment of Reading) last week. Before they started the test I made them do the SuperBrain yoga move and showed a quick clip from "Up", a movie they said made them laugh. I've never had results like that before! I'm using mind maps in my Animals unit and can't wait to see the results of that as well!

Memory class successes: Dottie writes--This past week I taught my high school Spanish students irregular conditional verbs using a mind map. I had them take them home to learn them. i tested them the next class period and they ALL had learned their irregular verbs. I was thrilled! And they like it!

Another Memory class success story: Linda writes--I learned peg-boarding during Kim's Memory class. I immediately introduced this activity with my speech-language/LD students. The students loved it! The students who continued to have the most difficulty with traditional learning techniques were able to be extremely successful-more positive attitude, smiled, were engaged in class. They also are able to retain the peg-boarding two weeks after initially learning the sequence. Also introduced this activity to a group of about 50 students while they were in the hallway during an actual tornado drill. they were mesmerized and it looked like 100% participation up to #7 when we then were told to return to class.

Hands On class idea: We were asked, as a class, to donate money to purchase a $50 brick to be placed in front of our school. Proceeds would go to technology. The principal suggested we have each child bring in $2.00 to cover the cost. After several requests I had a grand total of $6.00. Following the Hands On Learning class my coworker and I decided to try selling lemonade at recess. We made signs and walked around promoting our lemonade stand. We sold for 2 days and including donations we made a little over $200.00!

Synchronicity class comment: I have lost 23 pounds in 18 months. Thank you Kim! You have inspired me to put MOVEMENT in my life! Cut the soda! Drink water constantly-healthy snacks throughout the day! "Little" changes make a big difference! Doing the exercises from your classes is motivation-do those-done for the day! I am a better teacher, mother and wife because I feel healthy and I'm MOVING!

Hollywood class comments:
"I came expecting... not a lot. I couldn't imagine a connection between teaching and all of this game stuff. I got way more than I ever could have imagined."

" I got useful information, some laughs, and in 17 years of teaching the most rewarding class experience. I want to take other classes from Gray Matters. Nothing felt like it was a waste of time. I wish I had taken a class from GM earlier."

Fitness class comments:
~****Testimonial from the January class by Erin and Jessica--We started a revolution! After Fitness & the Brain we implemented circuits, cross laterlas, etc. Now we have movement every 15 minutes! Parents and Kids love it! Attention and focus have improved and classroom management is easy! Parents say their kids come home and can't wait to teach them about it!*****
~I got much more than I expected. The cross lateral movements I want to incorporate into my class will be incredible.
~I wish I had started this in August! (but now is better than never!)
~Now I need to set my mind to actually do these things.
~I wish my school would look at this type of research before making more changes.
~I wish everyone was required to take this course.
~I wish everyone used this with kids and in the work world.
~A thing of value from the experience is listening to a TOTALLY awesome instructor speak about what is a TOTAL passion for her.
~A thing of value from the experience is a reminder to think of myself and remember to make today a day I will make healthy choices.
~Most definitely one of the most valuable classes I have ever taken.
~ A new found motivation.

Maria says: "After taking Kim's Essentials class not only am I a more effective teacher, but I've lost 11 pounds, my migraines have stopped, and I sleep better at night! I look at myself and my students in a totally different light. Because I have a deeper understanding of how our brains work, I'm now able to create positive change within them! Although it's brain science, Kim makes it simple. Best class I've ever taken!"

From the Principal's training in October
Principal's say they learned:
"Brain research can be practical for teachers"
"Stuff that might be possible to do before CSAP tests!"
"Re-learned that our kids need movement"
*Cross-lateral activities have a major positive impact on learning
*Exercise is just as effective as Prozac and longer lasting!
*Hands-on movement helps boys with reading & writing, and helps girls with math
*Need to incorporate movement every 20 minutes in all classes
*Emotions and meaning equate to remembering and learning
*Through workshop activities, I learned how different movement impacts energy levels

Something I might share with a colleague:
*So many things! Benefits of movement (Dance Dance Revolution)
*Instructor’s high energy, and gave many great activities that are user friendly
*How easy & important it is to have short movement breaks; the only way to increase learning
*Play is needed to learn!
*Importance of the bare necessities: Sleep, food, and play
*One of the best inservices I’ve taken in a long time

Jessa from the Memory class says: It was my first day back from break and I was truly focused on getting my kids moving, stretching, clapping, SOMETHING! about every 20 minutes. I could truly see it improve the mood of the room. I also amazed my husband with peg boarding. I wanted to thank you again for a truly inspiring weekend-and tools that will transform my teaching.
YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Louis from the Gender class says: "Thank you for the great class, Gender July 25-26th! I honestly was the most engaged and truly interested in every word you said out of ANY class I have ever taken, EVER!"

Beth says about an in-service training on Top Ten: "This was the best in-service I have ever attended! Thank you!!!!!"

Jayson from the Memory class says: The 3-D box suggestion changed my school year. My 6th grade class is comprised of 20 boys and 6 girls. those 20 boys are more like a fraternity than a group of 12-year old students. My classroom is always high energy-but not always "hands-on". I started using the 3-D box in Science and Social Studies. The first "project" was to show a 3-D representation of photosynthesis. It was amazing what they came up with. Since then, I've done more abstract concepts like show "how a bill becomes law" and "the seven elements of culture". It's been a great tool of learning (and assessment).