Peter Horton - Educator

Memory and How Long Can We Stay Focused?

Why is it Important for Learning?
Welcome, 5th graders, to the fascinating world of memory! Today, we’re going to explore why our memories are like superpowers that help us learn new things. To begin with, our brain functions like a vast, fantastic filing cabinet that stores all the things we learn and experience. This cabinet has two unique drawers: one for short-term memory and another for long-term memory.

Understanding Memory
Imagine your short-term memory as a small, quick-access drawer where you keep things you need right away, such as the answer to a pop quiz or what you read a few minutes ago. However, be careful; this drawer is tiny, so things don’t stay there for too long unless you move them to the more spacious long-term memory drawer. In contrast, long-term memory is like the big drawer at the bottom, where you keep things you want to remember for a long time, like your best friend’s name, how to ride a bike, or your favorite song. To get things into this drawer, you must practice or think about them a lot.

Empowering Learning
Understanding how memory works is not just interesting; in fact, it’s empowering! It’s like having a secret superpower that can help you learn better. For example, if you review your notes daily, you’re not just studying; rather, you’re strategically moving that information from the short-term drawer to the long-term one. Consequently, when it’s time for a test, you’ll confidently remember what you studied!

For Teachers
For teachers, understanding memory can help them teach better. They can create fun activities that make the information stick in your long-term memory. Additionally, they might remind you of things you learned before to help connect new information to what’s already in the big drawer. Therefore, remembering is a big part of learning, and the more you practice, the better you get at keeping that information safe in your brain’s awesome filing cabinet!

How Can Students Improve Their Memory for School?
Now, let’s dive into some practical tips that can supercharge your memory for school. These strategies are ones you can use in your everyday school life to boost your memory power and ace those tests!

1. Stay Organized: First, keep your notes neat and your study space tidy. It’s easier to remember things when they’re not all jumbled up.

2. Use Mnemonics: Next, these are like little fun tricks to help you remember things. It’s like creating a secret code that only you know! For example, to remember the order of operations in math, you might use “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction). Thus, it’s like a fun puzzle that makes learning more exciting!

3. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat: Moreover, going over something often helps move it from short-term to long-term memory. It’s like practicing a song until you can sing it without looking at the lyrics. For instance, if you go over something 7-9 times, it will go into your short-term memory for a day or week, and then you might start forgetting. However, long-term memory needs to see, read, listen to, or use the thing we want to remember about 75 times for it to go into our long-term memory so we can remember it for a month or year. Therefore, it is best to study something, then review it later, and at some point in time, study it again and review it again at a later date. Don’t let it escape your memory!

4. Teach Someone Else: If you can explain what you’ve learned to someone else, it means you know it well. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure it sticks in your brain.

5. Take Breaks: Your brain can’t focus for hours without getting tired. Thus, take short breaks while studying to keep your mind fresh.

6. Get Plenty of Sleep: Sleep is like a magic time when your brain sorts through everything you learned during the day. Therefore, make sure you get enough rest so your brain can do its job.

7. Eat Healthy Foods: Foods like fish, nuts, and blueberries are brain foods. They help keep your memory sharp.

8. Stay Active: Exercise gets the blood flowing to your brain, which is beneficial for memory and thinking skills.

9. Make Connections: Try to connect new information to things you already know. It’s like building a bridge between new and old information.

10. Use Visual Aids: Finally, draw pictures or diagrams to help you remember information. Seeing information differently makes it easier to recall.

Remember, everyone’s brain is unique, just like you! So, don’t be afraid to try different methods and see what works best for you. It’s all part of your learning journey, and it’s perfectly normal to find your own special way of remembering things.

Attention Span by Age
Did you know we can concentrate on tasks for different amounts of time? Check this out:

• 7 years old: About 14 to 21 minutes of focus time.
• 8 years old: Ready to concentrate for 16 to 24 minutes.
• 9 years old: Can keep attention for about 18 to 27 minutes.
• 10 years old: On task for a solid 20 to 30 minutes.
• 11 years old: Focused for around 22 to 33 minutes.
• 12 years old: Can zoom in for 24 to 36 minutes.
• 13 years old: Attention lasts for about 26 to 39 minutes.
• 14 years old: Staying focused for 28 to 42 minutes.
• 15 years old: Concentration power for 30 to 45 minutes.

As we grow up, we get better at sticking with tasks for longer—like leveling up in focus!

Strategies for Improvement
Here are some strategies to enhance focus and memory:

• Goal Setting: First, create targets for what students aim to achieve. Explain how setting goals gives direction and model by setting a class goal and tracking progress.
• Countdown Timers: Next, use timers to limit the time spent on tasks. Scaffold by starting with short tasks and gradually increasing time as students improve focus.
• Focused Conferences: Additionally, conduct one-on-one meetings to discuss progress. For example, have weekly check-ins to discuss individual student goals and achievements.
• Physical Activity: Incorporate movement to improve concentration. Model a ‘brain break’ with a quick stretch or dance between tasks.
• Task Breakdown: Divide tasks into smaller, manageable parts. Scaffold by breaking a project into steps and focusing on one at a time.
• Task Rating: Assess tasks to determine interest and difficulty. For example, students can rate tasks from 1-5 in difficulty and start with the easiest.
• Checklists: Use lists to track task completion. Model by creating a class checklist for a group project.
• One Task at a Time: Focus on a single task before moving to the next. Explain the importance of not multitasking for better focus.
• Preferential Seating: Allow students to choose seats that minimize distractions. Scaffold by letting students choose their seats based on where they focus best.
• Color Coding: Use colors to organize and highlight information. Model by using different colored markers for different parts of a lesson.
• Natural Lighting: Utilize sunlight or lamps instead of harsh lighting. For example, open blinds or use desk lamps to create a calming environment.
• Remove Distractions: Clear the workspace of unnecessary items. Scaffold by having a clean-up time before starting a new task.
• Attention Breaks: Implement short breaks to reset focus. Model by using 5-minute breaks after 25 minutes of work (Pomodoro Technique).
• Interest Leveraging: Connect tasks to students’ interests. Scaffold by incorporating student interests into lesson plans.
• Varied Instruction: Finally, change teaching methods to maintain interest. For example, switch between lectures, videos, and interactive activities.

By using these strategies, you can enhance your focus and memory, making learning even more enjoyable!