This is the Personal Development self-learning module for Senior High School, Quarter 1, Module 12: Ways to Improve Brain Functions. It was prepared by DepEd Region IV-A CALABARZON (First Edition, 2021) for home-based learning. It builds on the previous lesson on the parts and functions of the brain and helps learners find practical ways to strengthen their brainpower and mental focus for personal development.
On this page 7 sections
What learners will learn
After going through this module, learners are expected to:
- Explore ways on how to improve brain functions for personal development.
The module covers one lesson, Lesson 12: Ways to Improve Brain Functions. It focuses on enhancing and balancing mental abilities.
Ten ways to improve brain function
The module explains that the brain is responsible for how we think, feel, and behave, and for remembering and recalling the past. Forgetting a task, for example, can lead to cramming or a failing grade. To keep the brain healthy, the module gives these tips:
- Exercise. Aerobic exercise and activities that keep your blood pumping help memory and protect the brain from degeneration.
- Meditate. Ten to 15 minutes of meditation a day could help extend cognitive longevity.
- Sleep. Seven to 9 hours of sleep a night helps consolidate memory and lets the brain heal and restore.
- Food intake. Eat brain-boosting food rich in omega-3, antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamin E. Eat more vegetables and limit calories and saturated fat.
- Sunlight. Fifteen to 30 minutes of morning sunlight raises vitamin D, which helps you perform better and slows brain aging.
- Good relationships. A strong support system of friends keeps you mentally and psychologically healthy. The module calls this the ultimate brain booster.
- Do not smoke. Smoking can cause dementia. People who smoked more than two packs a day had twice the rate of dementia when older.
- Be creative. Arts and crafts, writing poems, and choreographing a dance help enhance brain functions.
- Classical music. Listening to calm music can improve brain functions.
- Drink coffee. Coffee in moderation can increase brain performance, speed, reaction time, and reasoning.
Eight ways to improve mental focus
The module also gives tips for staying focused on a goal:
- Assessment: check how strong your focus is before you start working.
- Eliminate distractions: find a calm, quiet place, such as a library or a private room, and ask to be left alone.
- Limit focus: stop multitasking and give full attention to one thing at a time.
- Live in the moment: avoid dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
- Practice mindfulness: meditate or try a quick deep breathing exercise.
- Take a short break: briefly shift your attention to something unrelated to keep your focus sharp.
- Build your mental focus: tidy your workplace, avoid internet browsing and video games while working, and try meditation or yoga. This takes time and practice.
- Brainstorm: use a mind map to organize thoughts visually without worrying about order, which helps with analysis and recall.
Activities in the module
- What I Know: a 15-item true or false pretest.
- What’s In: a review where learners draw a star for parts of the brain and a happy face for functions of the brain.
- What’s New: a color-word activity where learners shade each color word with a different color, then name the color used.
- What’s More: drawing a vertical infinity eight with the left and right hands, one minute each.
- What I Have Learned: labeling statements as improving brain function or mental focus, and a fill-in-the-blank paragraph.
- What I Can Do: making a mind map titled My Plan to Improve Brain Functions for my Personal Development.
- Assessment: a 15-item multiple choice test.
- Additional Activities: word puzzles from the letters IRNAB, unscrambling four colors, and counting squares.
How to use this module
For learners: Start with the pretest to see what you already know. Then work through the parts in order and finish with the assessment. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answers and do not write on the module. Answer keys are included; use them honestly to check your work after answering.
For parents: Some activities, like the color-word game and the additional puzzles, invite someone at home to join in. You can be that partner and talk with your child about which tips they want to try.
For teachers and facilitators: The Notes to the Teacher ask you to guide learners in the review task, explain thoroughly, and elaborate on the topic if needed. The mind map in What I Can Do works well as an output to collect.
Frequently asked questions
What grade level and quarter is this Personal Development module for?
It is a Senior High School Personal Development module for Quarter 1. It is Module 12, Ways to Improve Brain Functions.
What is the learning objective of Module 12?
Learners are expected to explore ways on how to improve brain functions for personal development.
What are some ways to improve brain function according to the module?
The module lists exercise, meditation, 7 to 9 hours of sleep, brain-boosting food, morning sunlight, good relationships, not smoking, being creative, listening to classical music, and drinking coffee in moderation.
Does the module have an answer key?
Yes. The module includes answer keys for the pretest, What I Have Learned, the additional activities, and the assessment.
What is a mind map?
The module describes a mind map as an easy way to brainstorm thoughts without worrying about order and structure. It shows the structure of your ideas visually to help with analysis and recall.
Full text of the module
The text below is a transcription of the PDF above, as printed.
Personal Development
Quarter 1 – Module 12: Ways to Improve Brain Functions
Senior High School
[illustration: students and a teacher learning in outdoor and classroom settings, with a globe, a lamp, and a student writing; Alternative Delivery Mode logo below]
Personal Development Alternative Delivery Mode Quarter 1 – Module 12: Ways to Improve Brain Functions First Edition, 2021
Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.
Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.
Published by the Department of Education Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio
Development Team of the Module
Writers: Ma. Rosario Waniwan- Carson Editors: Gorgina C. Jepa Reviewers: Sherelyn N. Mijares, Jonathan L. Cañales, Shenn Ann G. Ariola, Shiela F. Adia, Bernadette B. Patag Illustrator: Gilbert R. Esguerra Layout Artist: Diana F. delos Santos, Carla D. Español Management Team: Francis Cesar B. Bringas, Job S. Zape Jr., Ramonito Elumbaring, Reicon C. Condes, Elaine T. Balaogan, Fe M. Ong-ongowan, Christopher R. Diaz, Juan R. Araojo Jr., Cristina C. Salazar, Priscilla V. Salo, Bernadette B. Patag, Rosanito S. Paras, Rochene I. Garcia
Printed in the Philippines by ________________________
Department of Education – Region IV-A CALABARZON
Office Address: Gate 2 Karangalan Village, Barangay San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal Telefax: 02-8682-5773/8684-4914/8647-7487 E-mail Address: lrmd@deped.gov.ph
Personal Development
Quarter 1 – Module12: Ways to Improve Brain Functions
Senior High School
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check you’re learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can best help you on your home-based learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.
What I Need to Know
This module is designed and written to help you understand the powers of the mind. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.
The module focuses on the powers of the mind.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
- Explore ways on how to improve brain functions for personal development
What I Know
Directions: Write True if you agree with the statement, and False if you do not.
_____1. Regular exercise would benefit your body except for your brain.
_____2. For your brain to function properly, you should get enough sleep.
_____3. Meditation could extend your cognitive longevity.
_____4. Proper nutrition is good for your brain.
_____5. Getting sunlight is good for your brain
_____6. Drinking coffee can activate your brain cells.
_____7. Playing board games can enhance your brainpower.
_____8. Smoking can cause brain damage.
_____9. Having a good relationship with your friends will not affect your mental health.
_____10. Listening to classical music can improve brain functions.
_____11. In doing some tasks, it is important to assess your mental focus.
_____12. Eliminating distractions do not affect your mental focus.
_____13. Deep breathing exercise improves your brain functions.
_____14. Worrying and overthinking can improve your mental focus.
_____15. Doing mind mapping can help you brainstorm thoughts and ideas.
Lesson 12: Ways to Improve Brain Functions
Understanding the different parts of the brain, processes, and functions may help you in improving your thoughts, behavior, and feelings. This time you may be able to explore ways on how to improve your brain functions for personal development.
As you demonstrate your personal ways to fully develop your brain functions, this module will support your own personal development. This time, we will focus on enhancing and balancing your mental abilities.
What’s In
Now let us have a review of the previous lesson. Draw a STAR if the words are parts of the brain. Draw a HAPPY FACE if the words are functions of the brain. Put your answer in the space provided.
| 1. Processing information | 6. Regulates emotion | ||
| 2. Hindbrain | 7. Motor movement | ||
| 3. Cerebrum | 8. Organize information | ||
| 4. Thalamus | 9. Frontal Lobe | ||
| 5. Brain stem | 10. Cerebral cortex |
[transcriber’s note: the table has no printed header row; the header above is left empty, and the two answer columns are blank in the source]
Notes to the Teacher
Guide the learner in answering the task, explain thoroughly. You can elaborate the topic if necessary.
What’s New
Directions: DO NOT shade the word with the name of the color it spells out, instead, use a different color. After you finished coloring all the words, try to tell the color that you used to shade the word. Practice doing so on your own for one minute before you invite someone to tell the color shaded on each word.
BLUE ORANGE YELLOW
BLACK PINK GREEN
WHITE RED YELLOW
BLACK YELLOW GREEN
VIOLET BLUE ORANGE
GREEN WHITE RED
[transcriber’s note: the six rows above are the color words as printed in a grid of three words per row, each word outlined and unshaded]
After doing the activity what have you realized? What do you think are the ways to improve your brain functions? What is the best way for you to improve your brain functions?
[transcriber’s note: a blank answer box follows the questions in the source]
What is It
Often you tend to forget what to say or forget an important date. For a student like you to forget about a task assigned to you can lead to cramming, or worse, a failing grade. Our brain is responsible for remembering and recalling the past, we must keep our brain healthy in order to function well.
Ways to Improve your Brain Function for Personal Development
The brain is responsible for our way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Still, it is important to observe and exercise ways to improve your brain functions as a maturing adolescent. Here are some useful tips to improve your brainpower that will help you activate brain functions for personal development:
Exercise– benefits brain health and cognition, improves your memory, and even protects your brain from degeneration. Aerobic exercise is good for the brain. Activities that keep your blood pumping are good for your heart and great for your brain.
Meditate– taking 10-15 minutes of meditation a day could help to extend your cognitive longevity.
Sleep – getting enough sleep at night for 7 to 9 hours is enough to consolidate memory learning. This is important in resetting the brain, allow it to heal and restore.
Food Intake– just as the body needs fuel, so does the brain. Eat a brain-boosting diet such as food rich in omega-3, antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamin E. Eat more vegetables, limit calorie, and saturated fat intake. Drink green tea and wine or grape juice in moderation.
Sunlight– 15 to 30 minutes of morning sunlight and exercise can sometimes go hand in hand however, getting too little sunlight is not healthy for your brain. Higher levels of vitamin D in your system allow you to perform better and slow down the aging of your brain.
Good Relationship– make time for friends. Building a strong support system around you will enable you to stay healthy mentally and psychologically over the long term. This is called the ultimate brain booster.
Do not smoke– smoking can cause brain disorder called dementia. Those people who smoked more than two packs of cigarettes a day had twice the rate of dementia when they were older.
Be creative – engaging in activities that will boost one’s creativity like arts and crafts, writing poem, choreograph a dance performance and the like are good for enhancing brain functions.
Classical music- listening to calm music can improve brain functions.
Drink coffee- drinking coffee in moderation increases your brain performance and speed and will even boost your intelligence, including your reaction time and reasoning.
After learning some tips that could help you empower your brain, it is also important to know tips on how to improve your mental focus to achieve your goal. Here are some useful tips that you may consider:
How to Improve your mental focus?
Assessment- begin by assessing just how strong your mental focus is at the present moment before you start working.
Eliminate distractions– request to be left alone and set aside a specific time and place, and seek out a calm or quiet place where you can work undisturbed. The library, a private room in your house, or even a quiet coffee shop might all be good spots to try.
Limit focus– part of improving your mental focus is all about making the most of the resources you have available. Stop multitasking and instead give your full attention to one thing at a time.
Live in the moment– it is hard to stay mentally focused when you are ruminating about the past, worrying about the future, or tuned out of the present moment for some other reason. It may take some time but work on learning to truly live in the moment. You cannot change the past and the future has not happened yet, but what you do today can help you avoid repeating past mistakes and pave a path for a more successful future.
Practice mindfulness– practicing mindfulness can involve learning how to meditate, but it can also be as simple as trying a quick and easy deep breathing exercise.
Take a short break– shift your attention to something unrelated to the task at hand, even if it is only for a few moments. These short moments might mean that you are able to keep your mental focus sharp and your performance high when you really need it.
Build your mental focus– tidy up your workplace and clear it of distractions like internet browsing and videogames, meditation, yoga exercise can help in building mental focus. It requires plenty of time and practice to strengthen concentration skills. By building mental focus, you will find that you can accomplish more and concentrate on the things in life that truly bring you success, joy, and satisfaction.
Brainstorm– a mind map is an easy way to brainstorm thoughts organically without worrying about order and structure. It allows you to visually represent the structure of your ideas to help with analysis and recall.
Example of mind map:
[chart: mind map; Example of mind map]
- Central topic: MIND MAPPING
- BENEFITS: Overview ✓; Easy to memorize ✓; Simple, fast & fun ✓
- PLANNING: Projects; Goals; Strategies
- CREATIVITY: IDEAS; INNOVATION; THOUGHTS
- PRODUCTIVITY: More efficient; Intuitive
- COLLABORATION: TEAMWORK; Sharing; Colleagues
- Second diagram: SUBJECT, with four Idea nodes, each with two Sub-idea nodes.
- Values are not labeled on the chart.
What’s More
You are going to use both your right and left hands.
Directions: Draw an infinity eight ∞ vertically using your right hand in the second column and your left hand in the first column. Practice writing in 1 minute for each hand.
[transcriber’s note: the table above is the two blank boxes for the drawing practice, left box for the left hand and right box for the right hand; the boxes are empty]
After doing the activity what have you realized?
Is the activity helpful in improving your brain functions for personal development?
[transcriber’s note: blank answer box for writing a response]
What I Have Learned
Now, after knowing the tips on how to improve your brain functions and mental focus, try to answer the following exercises.
A. Directions: Write IBF (Improve Brain Function) if the statement is for enhancement of brain function or IMF (Improved Mental Focus) if the statement is for improving mental focus.
- Maria finds time to exercise daily.
- Pedro sees to it that he takes vitamins, and eats fruits and vegetables.
- The students play board games during recess.
- Section B students do their tasks quietly.
- Rose stops worrying about the pandemic.
B. Directions. Choose the correct word in the right column to complete the paragraph.
| The brain functions can be improved by doing the following; exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, proper nutrition intake, getting 1____ in your system allow you to perform better and can even slow down the 2___ of your brain, meditation could extend 3_____ longevity, building a strong 4 system enable you to stay healthy mentally and psychologically, 5______can cause brain damage called dementia. To improve your mental focus we should do the following; asses your mental focus before starting anything, eliminate 6 by seeking out a calm 7_, limit your focus, live in the moment, practice mindfulness, take a short break by shifting your 8_ to a different task, build your mental focus by_____9______, and doing 10_____ is an easy way to brainstorm thoughts spontaneously without worrying about order and structure. | Practicing attention Sunlight Cognitive Support Smoking Distractions Mind map Aging Location Library Isolation |
What I Can Do
Now let’s find out if you can apply what have been discussed earlier.
Directions: Plan ways on how to improve your brain functions using mind mapping.
My Plan to Improve Brain Functions for my Personal Development
[chart: mind map; My Plan to Improve Brain Functions for my Personal Development]
- Central topic: WAYS TO IMPROVE BRAIN FUNCTIONS
- Four Idea nodes, each with two Sub-idea nodes.
- Values are not labeled on the chart.
Assessment
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
The following are tips on how to enhance your brain power EXCEPT one.
- A. Exercise
- B. Meditate
- C. Enough sleep
- D. Limit focus
When do you assess your mental focus if you are going to do a task?
- A. During the accomplishment of the task
- B. After accomplishing the task
- C. Before doing the task
- D. All of the above
What activity requires you to take 10-15 minutes a day that could extend your cognitive longevity?
- A. Exercising
- B. Meditating
- C. Eating
- D. Smoking
What useful tip improves your focus that allows you to visually structure your ideas?
- A. Mind mapping
- B. Practice mindfulness
- C. Limit your focus
- D. Live in the moment
You requested your siblings to leave you alone in your room to finish your assignment. What useful tip on improving focus did you apply?
- A. Limit focus
- B. Eliminate distractions
- C. Practice mindfulness
- D. Take a short break
When a person smokes more than two packs of cigarettes a day, what disease could he get in his later life?
- A. Pneumonia
- B. Dementia
- C. Cancer
- D. Amnesia
What useful tip for improving mental focus does not happen overnight and requires plenty of time and practice to strengthen concentration skills?
- A. Building mental focus
- B. Eliminating distractions
- C. Taking short break
- D. Brainstorming
What useful tip for improving your mental focus gives your full attention to one thing?
- A. Building mental focus
- B. Eliminating distractions
- C. Taking short break
- D. Limiting focus
You need to be happy because people around you believe in your capacity. What useful tip in improving your brain function did you apply?
- A. Building strong connections
- B. Practicing creativity
- C. Listening to classical music
- D. caffeine intake
According to research, what kind of music would help you improve your brain functions?
- A. Pop music
- B. Classical music
- C. Opera music
- D. Reggae music
The following are reasons why it is important to improve your brain function EXCEPT:
- A. It can help you achieve your goal
- B. It is necessary in life
- C. It is for personal growth
- D. It is a requirement
In doing multi-tasking you can finish all the tasks at the same time. What useful tip in improving your mental focus had been violated?
- A. Limit your focus
- B. Live in the moment
- C. Eliminate distractions
- D. Practice mindfulness
You exerted much effort and you found ways how to solve such problem. What tip on improving your brain function was observed?
- A. Practice creative thinking
- B. Listening to classical music
- C. Build strong connections
- D. Get some light
What useful tip in improving your mental focus involves learning how to meditate?
- A. Build your mental focus
- B. Take a short break
- C. Practice mindfulness
- D. Limit your focus
What useful tip in improving your mental focus helps you accept the present, forget the past, and embrace the future?
- A. Live in the moment
- B. Practice mindfulness
- C. Take a short break
- D. Limit your focus
Additional Activities
To strengthen what you have learned from this module try doing these activities. You can challenge your friends, siblings or anyone in your house.
Directions: Follow the instructions indicated in each item.
Come up with as many words as you can from the following letters. Use each letter only once in each word. IRNAB
Finding colors. Rearrange all the letters to find the four colors mixed up below. Hint: There is only one primary color.
RAIGET, ENOLYL, OVGOEN, LEWRECounting squares. Count the number of squares in the figure on the left. Hint: Be sure to count the squares within the squares.
[illustration: figure of connected squares arranged in rows, for counting]
[transcriber’s note: this page is printed upside down]
Answer Key
What I Know
False 1.
True 2.
True 3.
True 4.
True 5.
True 6.
True 7.
True 8.
False 9.
True 10.
True 11.
False 12.
True 13.
False 14.
True 15.
C 16.
D 17.
A 18.
What I Have Learned A.
EBF 1.
EBF 2.
EBF 3.
IMF 4.
IMF 5.
What I Have Learned B.
sunlight 1.
aging 2.
cognitive 3.
support 4.
smoking 5.
distractions 6.
location 7.
attention 8.
practicing 9.
mind map 10.
Additional Activities
I, In, Ran, Rib, Rain, Nab, A, An, Air, Ban, Bar, Bin, Barn, Bran, Brain 1.
Green, Orange, Violet, Yellow 2.
21 squares 3.
Assessment
D 1.
C 2.
B 3.
A 4.
B 5.
B 6.
A 7.
D 8.
A 9.
B 10.
D 11.
A 12.
A 13.
C 14.
B 15.
References
Dowe, Amelia. Mind Mapping. Remix Published Nov. 2, 2017: Open Educational Resources: Accessed May 20, 2020 https://www.mindmapping.com/
Dumper, Kathryn et.al, Introductory Psychology. Pressbooks. Accessed May 22, 2020. https//opentxt.wsu.edu/psych105/
Lebowitz, Shana. 47 Ways to Boost Brain Power Now. Article. August 2017
Lumen Learning. Intoduction to Psychology. Openstax College. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/
Melone, Londa. Everyday Health. Accessed May 20, 2020 www.everydayhealth.com/newletter-subscriptions
Roche, Bryan Ph.D. Psychology Today, New York. Sussex Publishers LLC Accessed May 20, 2020 www.psychologytoday.com
Shaibi, Kazile. Exercise for Your Brain. Open Educational Resources: Accessed May 21, 2020 https://www.oercommons.org/courses/exercise-for-your-brain
Spielman et.al, Psychology: Ways to Enhance Memory. Open Educational Resources. Accessed May 22, 2020
Smale, Thomas. 8 Ways to Improve your Brain Power. Fe International. Accessed through Open Educational Resources May 20, 2020 https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/250417https
Walinga, Jennifer and Charles Strangor. Introduction to Psychology. 1st Canadian Edition: Creamtive Commons: Accessed May 22, 2020 https://opentxtbc.ca/introductiontopsychology/chapter/ 3-2-our-brains-control-our-thoughts-feelings-and-behavior/
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR)
Ground Floor, Bonifacio Bldg., DepEd Complex Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines 1600
Telefax: (632) 8634-1072; 8634-1054; 8631-4985
Email Address: blr.lrqad@deped.gov.ph * blr.lrpd@deped.gov.ph
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