Elspeth
Both our May sessions had cogs turning and we had it further reinforced that sociable and varying mental and physical challenges are useful. We watched brain research and played web ball. We might even be getting close to conquering number puzzles but will still be pleased when Geoff is back to help.
Elspeth Brain Games continues to puzzle, educate, irritate and intrigue in fairly equal measure.
We have a break before our next session on May 1st. Rust can be heard falling off cogs in the brains of those facing the various challenges presented in Brain Games with one apology collecting her homework and thus keeping up with the group.
It is also encouraging that the group continues to gain recruits and that some report improved memory or problem-solving approaches. We made a good start to exercising the grey matter (though at least one absentee needs some memory work!) with some beanbag catches honing reaction time, mirror writing and mazes to warm up eyes and concentration and successful recall of where five objects had been hidden. After some talk of left and right brain function we tested logic, number and pattern skills on a medium to demanding set of puzzles and agreed that varied and sociable activity makes for brain fitness.
Q What are the next 3 letters in this series: O T T F F S S ? clue:count them answer: E N T We began with a warm-up of “otherhand” drawing, then checked our 8T on an O puzzle (eight tentacles on an octopus), tested our world geography and tried some number problems which required a mix of maths skills and lateral thinking. Finally we watched a program on adult brain changes and learnt a few things about ways of staying brain-fit.
Next year we may try more frequent sessions but with a winter recess. Meanwhile research recommends you try juggling, learning another language or a musical instrument and of course staying physically and enjoyably active. Late news: Brain Games has been timetabled with two sessions a month in 2017, 1.30 - 3.30 pm, 1st and 3rd Mondays. With an unexpected holiday for flexible learning we were comfortably accommodated in a P-12 conference room for our October session.
We began with a brain enlivening ball game, continued through some pesky shapes, pictures and figures and ended with a twenty minute program which explored visual attention and distraction, peripheral vision and recall of detail. Please note that Brain Games will be on Monday 3rd October. Hope to see you then.
I can be emailed at [email protected] , sent a text on 0418 621 764, a 101 can be left (after a longish wait) on 57621700, or a message left in my pigeonhole at Benalla pool. As in the July newsletter, Brain Games will be held in September if enough people notify their intention to be there. The next meeting is planned for Monday 5th September.
If it's another scratching I'll return notification to any would-be participants by the same means they communicate with me i.e. text, phone or email. I apologise to the three who turned up on July 4th but can only recommend that we all read the Newsletter. I can be emailed at [email protected] , sent a text on 0418 621 764, a 101 can be left (after a longish wait) on 57621700, or a message left in my pigeonhole at Benalla pool. It's hard to prepare with enthusiasm when a list of more than fifteen dwindles by July to two apologies and one attendee. Thus I have cancelled the August session and will run future sessions only if I hear from at least five people by the preceding Friday. If just one or two respond I will get back to them before the Monday.
I can be emailed at [email protected] , sent a text on 0418 621 764, a 101 can be left (after a longish wait) on 5762 1700, or a message left in my pigeonhole at Benalla pool. The small group at our June session took a variety of challenges including elementary juggling which, while it stimulated neuronal pathways, won't see any of us joining the circus just yet!
A note from Elspeth - Please don't imagine you're not missed and let me know if I'm preparing material that's too easy/hard/ or in some way could suit you better if I had your input. The next meeting of Brain Games is scheduled for Monday 4th July at 1.30pm in W4. |
About Brain Games
It is well established that new skills can help build brain pathways with benefits for memory, confidence, happiness and even falls prevention. Brain Games offers a variety of entertaining and informative ways to challenge, inform and exercise your brain. Thus we might solve word, number, shape, picture or logic puzzles, take part in a quiz, brainstorm solutions to a dilemma, draw a picture or maybe even learn to juggle! We may, at times, read or view material on topics such as dementia, brain repair...etc), gender differences, optimism and pessimism, lateral thinking and creativity. Convenor and contact detailsElspeth Maconachie
0418 621 764 Meeting Times
4th Tuesday 2 to 4 pm, U3A Meeting Room 1, Fawckner Drive.
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