March 18th

Parents/Guardians: Please assist your child with the homework. Complete the same level that is completed in class.

Computers: Making your mind sharp

Sitting at a computer seems like a sitting activity, but as you interact with friends, you're giving your brain a workout. Studies are finding that the mental stimulation you gain from using a computer helps to boost your memory and slow mental decline. "Engaging in any activity that causes you to learn new things is a good use of time” says Dr. Anne. Even if you've never touched a keyboard before, you could start activating sleeping brain cells with just a few searches of the Internet. Dr. Small and his colleagues noted increased activity in participants' frontal lobes—the part of the brain that controls working memory and helps us solve problems. When training your brain, you want to engage it in different activities. "Working out different areas of the brain keeps the neurons well-oiled and flexible," Dr. Small says.

Level 3: Based on the text, how are computers keeping us “sharp”? Use one detail to support your response.

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A
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Level 2: Based on the text, how are computers keeping us “sharp”? Use one detail to support your response.

R	Computers are keeping us “sharp” by
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C	____________________________________________________________________
E	This shows how computers are keeping us “sharp”

Parent Signature: ___________________________________________