BrainworX Health Tips

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may be important for brain activity involved with cognitive functions in healthy boys, investigators found in a new clinical trial. Previous research indicated that DHA is important for the development of cognitive function in the brain.

This study analyzed the effects of DHA supplementation on brain activity. In this study, 33 healthy boys, whose ages ranged from 8-10 years old, were supplemented with 400 mg per day, 1200mg per day of DHA or a placebo for 8 weeks. Brain activity was evaluated using fMRI at the beginning of the study and again after 8 weeks of supplementation. The subjects were also evaluated for DHA levels, which were measured in the red blood cells (erythrocytes) at the beginning of the study and again after 8 weeks.

The results showed that the red blood cell DHA levels were higher in the boys supplemented with DHA compared to the placebo group. The boys that received the higher dose of DHA experienced an increase of 70% in erythrocyte DHA, while the boys who received the lower dose of DHA experienced a 47% increase and the placebo group had an 11% reduction in levels of DHA in their red blood cells.

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Two books you should read are: Drive by Daniel Pink and The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner Both books sum it up by stressing the importance of having pride and interest in what you do. Most schools ignore career-oriented approaches with combined learning on the job classroom instruction. I read a sample test question from the Common Core State Standards Initiative test that intends to ensure that all students leave high school ready for college or careers: "Give me 8 sheep and then we will have an equal number," said one shepherd to another: "No, you give me 8 sheep and then I will have twice as many as you," replied another shepherd. How many sheep did each shepherd have to start with? Write an equation or inequality that has (a) no real solutions; (b) infinite number of solutions; and (c) exactly one real solution. It is much easier to score factoring test questions than that of language arts. I personally believe that is the core problem with our standardized testing approach.

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Special Needs kids can welcome an amusement park in San Antonio, Texas. The grand opening is Friday, April 9th. Tickets for special needs kids are free, family members and caregivers cost $5.

It is extremely exciting that there is a sensory village and handicap access to all the rides along with additional caution with crowd control.

When a child is suspended from school it directly affects the student's learning. When a child is suspended from school they are deprived of valuable instruction from their teachers. Most frequently, students suspended from school are behind and struggling academically. Clearly understanding the direction from the school disciple code is critical in moving through the suspension or expulsion steps. Ultimately seeking a direction that can supports a positive student behavior plan coupled with attention to reaching graduation from high school should become the focus for the family and the student involved in the suspension from school.

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NCTE/Norman Mailer Writing Award (full details) The Norman Mailer Writers Colony and the National Council of Teachers of English will jointly sponsor the 2010 Norman Mailer High School and College Writing Awards.

Writing Category: Creative Nonfiction Norman Mailer produced extraordinary works in many genres, including the category of this year’s award: creative nonfiction. Students may submit work in any of the many subgenres of creative nonfiction: memoir or autobiography, essay, literary journalism, profiles of people or places, and so on. Whatever its type, the best work will be true material presented with compelling literary merit. 

One winner in each category will receive a cash award and will be an honored guest at the Colony’s National Award Ceremony in New York City on October 19, 2010. Winners will be notified by mid-September. Finalists, Semifinalists Four finalists in each category will be awarded trophies. Sixteen semifinalists in each category will be awarded certificates.

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A client shared this You Tube clip about educating kids.  A twist on the Public Education point of view....

A humorous monalogue by Sir Ken Robertson and his opinion about the current educational system and the loss of creativity.  A worldwide problem; the loss of creativity in the school system.

Provided by Kim Ashby

Answer the following questions:     YES     NO

Do you skip words or lines when reading?        
Do you reread lines?        
Do you lose your place?        
Are you easily distracted when reading?        
Do you need to take breaks often?        
Do you find it harder to read the longer you read?        
Do you get headaches when you read?        
Do your eyes get red and watery?        
Does reading make you tired?        
Do you blink or squint?        
Do you prefer to read in dim light?        
Do you read close to the page?        
Do you use your finger or other markers?        
Do you get restless, active, or fidgety when reading?        

If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, then you might be experiencing the effects of a perception problem called Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, which can interfere with your reading efficiency. Now, for the first time, there is a simple method Irlen Colored Filters worn as glasses or contact lenses, that can help people overcome this problem quickly and easily.

Copyright © 1991 by Perceptual Development Corp/Helen Irlen.  All rights reserved.
For other self tests including the long test, headache test, light sensitivity test, autism test <a href="http://irlen.com/index.php?s=selftests">click here</a>.