Gail,



Back when Brain Research was hot (about 10 years ago) we read research on the negative effects of dehydration on concentration and fatigue. We (LIFT, Missouri's Literacy Center) began providing bottled water at all of our workshops which in turn motivated family and adult literacy staff to provide it for their adult learners. Drinking water was encouraged to maximize extended attention spans for study and test taking. Perhaps it was the halo effect, but we had enthusiastic feedback. Now, if we'd used ordinary tap water to preserve the environment, added a peppermint candy to cut the frustration, and given ginger snaps for pregnant moms to reduce nausea, we may have made the news!




What other practical strategies appear to spark and maintain learner persistence?




Jeri Levesque, Ed.D.

Evaluator, Missouri and Kentucky Even Start

LIFT


-----Original Message-----
From: Gail Price <gprice at famlit.org>
To: The Family Literacy Discussion List <familyliteracy at nifl.gov>
Sent: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 12:23 pm
Subject: [FamilyLiteracy 891]  Peppermints Help Test-Takers

































Just for fun!



An article titled “Peppermint
prepares test-takers, a study says” recently appeared in the Middletown Journal, Middletown, OH.



The articles states, “Candy canes greeted test-takers at Middletown's Adult
Education center Friday before the General Educational Development exam. The
purpose of the treats was two-fold: spread a little holiday cheer and awaken
the test-takers, said Principal Rose Marie Stiehl. A NASA-funded study revealed
that the smell of peppermint decreases fatigue and frustration by 15 percent
and 25 percent respectively and increases alertness by 30 percent, said Stiehl.
Ever since the study, the center has offered peppermints to test-takers.”



 



And Middletown’s Adult Education programs
seems to be doing very well. You can read the article at http://www.middletownjournal.com/hp/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/12/29/mj122907gedcanes.html



I think I’ll buy a
stash of peppermints for my students. How about you? 



 



 



Gail J. Price



Multimedia Specialist



National
 Center for Family
Literacy



325 W. Main Street,
  Suite 300



Louisville,
 KY 40202



gprice at famlit.org



502 584-1133, ext. 112



 



 



Join us
for the 17th Annual National Conference on Family Literacy!

"Literacy
Grows Families and Communities"

March 30, 31, & April 1, 2008-Louisville, KY

Register online at www.famlit.org/conference



 










 





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