Adolescent Brain & Development
What part of the brain is still developing during adolescence and affects decision-making?
The prefrontal cortex
What is the motivational theory where students need autonomy, competence, and relationships to thrive?
Self-Determination Theory.
A simple strategy that supports engagement using visual prompts.
Anchor Charts
What does SEL stand for?
Social-Emotional Learning.
What is one way classmates can help multilingual learners feel comfortable in class?
Working together, being patient, or explaining things kindly.
This part of the brain develops earlier and leads to stronger emotions and risk-taking.
The limbic system.
Name one way teachers can increase student motivation.
Offering choice, giving positive feedback, using group work, etc.
What is the term for pairing a stronger student with someone who needs support?
Name one core SEL skill.
Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships, decision-making.
What is one thing that helps students who are learning English understand lessons better?
Sentence frames, visuals, word banks, modeling, gestures.
What is the term for the ability to remember information and use it to solve problems?
Working memory.
What does "growth mindset" mean?
The belief that abilities can grow with effort and practice.
This strategy lets students talk in pairs before sharing with the class.
Turn and Talk
What is one emotion that might impact a student’s ability to focus?
Anxiety, anger, stress, etc.
Why are visuals helpful for multilingual learners?
They make abstract concepts more concrete.
Executive function includes three skills—name one.
Working memory, self-control, or flexible thinking.
This occurs when students give up because they believe improvement is impossible.
Learned helplessness
Give one example of a culturally responsive teaching practice.
Using students’ languages, identities, or community examples in lessons.
Why do adolescents learn better in classrooms where they feel safe?
Because stress decreases cognition and belonging increases engagement.
Many students use two languages every day. What is one way your home language helps you learn in school?
It helps students understand ideas faster, connect new words to old ones, or explain things to others.
Why do adolescents rely more on peer approval when making decisions?
Their reward system is highly sensitive to social feedback.
Why is immediate feedback important for adolescent motivation?
It strengthens confidence and helps students correct mistakes quickly.
This instructional model activates prior knowledge, teaches new material, then offers practice.
Gradual Release Model (I Do, We Do, You Do).
Give a strategy teachers can use to help students manage stress.
Breathing exercises, movement breaks, check-ins, journaling, etc.
Our languages and cultures are important. What is something from your culture (a word, food, celebration, saying) that you’d like your classmates to learn about?
Any word or tradition the student wants to share.