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 the term for how safe, supportive, and connected a school feels?
School Climate
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.
Why do peers become more influential during adolescence?
Adolescents seek belonging and identity.
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.
Give one example of positive peer influence.
Encouraging studying, joining clubs, helping each other in class.
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.
What type of bullying occurs online?
Cyberbulling
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.
How can teachers build positive peer relationships in the classroom?
Group norms, collaboration, restorative circles, community-building activities.