Put Music In Every Classroom: Music and Learning

This course will provide the latest research on the effects of music, its role in academic achievement and the verdict on standardized test scores. Learn why all educators should integrate music into all content for maximum impact on the academic curriculum. Use music to ignite passion for your lessons in the classroom.

Homework and YOUR Brain: The 9 Secrets of Achievement

Perhaps the hardest part of educating is creating meaningful assessment! This course will feature the latest research on the effects of homework on academic achievement through K-12 education. Every educator will be interested in the findings as the verdict is in and it will make a quality of life impact! You will learn instead of the most effective means to enhance learning, achievement and cultivate every student's full potential. The 9 secrets will change your life, your student's and their parent's!!!!

Hollywood, PlayStation and the Brain

What does the latest in neuroscience tell us about the short-term and long-term effects on neurology and behavior? The time has come for parents and teachers to harness the principles that Hollywood and Playstation use to revolutionize student motivation to complete homework and re-ignite learning in the classroom.

Hands On Strategies For Engaging All Learners

If you have ever toiled over the idea of letting one of your students "slip through the cracks", then you owe it to that student to take this course. This is where research meets common sense to support the use of learning with real-life, hands-on projects. This course will offer a number of strategies guaranteed to appeal to heterogeneous classrooms: special education, gifted and talented, honors, AP and IB.

Community & Academics-One Day Only!

In the push toward increasing test performance and getting our students “ready” for a test or college we’ve let up on the most important strategy in any classroom...relationships! Conclusive research shows year after year it is NOT the instructional strategy that works but strong relationship building. You will learn this research and leave with many methods to build relationships guaranteed to engage, motivate and prepare them for academic excellence.

Memory and the Brain: You Must Remember This!

Alzheimer's, stress and aging offer fascinating insights to the way our memory works, or doesn't. Finally, studies reveal why we remember some things, forget others, and suggest reasons for those times you can't seem to remember why you entered into a room. Learn the limits of our memory systems we rely on in life and count on in assessments.

Effects of Laughter

The latest studies show what we all know to be true...laughter is the best medicine! It is time to learn the physiology that laughter provides to the brain and body that enhance attention, focus and recall. Educators can now apply simple techniques to skills and curriculum that lace fun into any classroom-whether you think you are fun or NOT. Leave with multiple avenues that will make you and your students laugh all year long.

Essentials for Learning

This class will feature a fundamental introduction to the brain. You will learn the structures involved in learning and memory and research based methods to improve their function. You will also learn how to increase the neurotransmitters that improve attention, focus and motivation. The methods to increase these “learning neurotransmitters” are easy to integrate into any classroom. Come learn how and why these strategies will help to alleviate short and long-term effects of stress on a physiological level and improve student achievement in the classroom! Any time stress is reduced standardized test scores improve, attitude improves and attendance soars. You will learn over 30 field-tested ways to increase the neurotransmitters which play an integral role in learning and in improved health. When you leave class, you can show your students and colleagues their brain -- in a depression, on Prozac, on Marijuana and on alcohol!

Gender and the Brain

Why are boys test scores sometimes 2 or more years behind girls? Why do spatial reasoning scores differ by gender? Brain imaging shows compelling differences in male-female processing. The resulting color preference, emotional processing, and play behaviors seem to result in quite significant differences in classroom performance and behavior. Learn how neurology, hormones and culture work together to create the sometimes hilarious opposites. The latest research provides an understanding of gender differences and allows educators to tap into their greatest potential. You won’t believe how simple the answer may be -- you will learn about some schools who are bridging the gap… for some, IN ONE YEAR!

Top Ten Things-1 DAY ONLY!

“The Top Ten Things Every One With a Brain Needs to Know” features the latest scientific research on how to increase learning, motivation, attention and performance. You will learn why our students must perceive meaning in all curriculum, know the role of sleep and nutrition in learning and why fitness and movement must be a part of life. You’ll also learn that research confirms the importance of music in our classrooms and the importance of respecting gender differences to enhance academic success. In addition to the application in your classroom you will also learn why neurologists agree these strategies will enhance your health and slow cognitive aging: improve memory, ability to think, speed processing–-even maintain a healthy weight!

Fitness and the Brain

Neuroscientists are conducting studies that show that movement results in significant gains in cognitive processing, and even slows down normal aging processes. Learn why exercise/moving are critical for optimal brain performance. Come learn what all educators should know about physical movement and its side effects...significant gains in attention, motivation and memory. Use these activities to engage students with attention deficits, manage discipline, motivate apathetic learners, and reinvigorate learning for everyone in the classroom.

Synchronicity! Getting The Balance Back...

This class will help you bring balance back into your life, classroom, and home life ...

When teachers bring mind and body into balance, we will naturally reach a place of enhanced health, happiness and energy. The latest research indicates we can slow aging, get fit, eat the right foods, and tap into inner power to be in "The Zone" on a regular basis! You will leave with a 6 point "Security System" to make sure you will keep the changes you like!

Teacher's Boot Camp

Gray Matters welcomes Paula Perron from the Brain Workout Center

Special One Day Boot Camp Session: A one day training for teachers on the cross lateral movements shown to increase attention, focus and fluency in students reading below grade level. You will learn movement activity after activity shown to enhance academics, motivation and improve behavior (for 4 year olds to 84 year olds).

Justin Matott presents Boy, Oh Boy...Let's get reading and writing!

Justin Matott, best selling author, speaker, Harley Riding Gym Rat,"Gender Gap Bridger" and himself thinks he would have been diagnosed ADD or ADHD when a boy, is here to share the heartwarming story of a teacher's influence on him, changing his direction and helping him to set up the potential to become a globe trotting author of over 20 books. Justin specializes in getting boys excited with reading and writing, and writing and writing. He is very clever, funny, and so engaging...you DON'T want to miss him. He has new "over the top ways" to hook them: males and females! He has agreed to train you to do some magic of your own that your kids won't be able to resist...it's sort of like cheating!

He has new and incredible things to make you a teacher who gets kids to enjoy writing! Did I mention he is funny, teacher-friendly, kid-savvy and will give you the tricks to get them to beg YOU for writing time.

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Assumption of Risk/Waiver/Release of Liability
All classes are designed to be interactive so you may be asked to sign a Release of Liability form before participating in the activities. Below is the wording from that form:
Participant understands and agrees that risks and dangers of injury to person or property exist and are inherent in the activities taking place the Gray Matters class. These activities include but are not limited to lifting, stretching, jumping, stepping and any and all other movement-related activities. Participant is fully capable of engaging in all of the activities at this Gray Matters class and assumes the risk of any and all injury, damage that is associated with, caused by, or results from the activities taking place at this Gray Matters class.

Participant further agrees that he or she shall exercise the highest degree of care that a reasonably careful person could and would exercise while participating in the activities. Participant permits photographs to be taken if used for publicity purposes.

In consideration for being permitted to participate in the activities at this Gray Matters class, participant waives any claims and causes of action arising from the activities.