Train the Trainer

Plan your training for maximum impact!

Transform the way you teach, train, and facilitate learning with Angela Agresto's Brain Building Blueprints Flip Book—a dynamic, easy-to-use course development tool that simplifies lesson planning while ensuring engagement, interactivity, and retention. Whether you're a corporate trainer, classroom teacher, instructor, facilitator, or coach, this innovative flip book provides a brain-friendly approach to designing impactful learning experiences in just minutes.

Built around the 4Cs Brain-Based Instructional Design Model (inspired by master trainer Sharon Bowman), this flip book gives you instant access to ready-to-use learning activities that work for any subject, skill level, or learning environment—live or virtual.

4Cs BRAIN-BASED INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN MODEL

The 4Cs Model is a brain-based approach that enhances learning by following the natural way the brain processes and retains information -- by incorporating movement, talking, images, writing, breaks, and more. This flip book organizes activities according to these four stages, helping you effortlessly design effective training sessions.

C1 – CONNECTIONS

Before introducing new content, help learners connect to each other, to the instructor, and to their prior knowledge on the topic. This step is critical because activating prior knowledge makes learning more meaningful and increases retention.

C2 – CONCEPTS

Introduce new concepts and material through multi-sensory, interactive activities. Be sure to keep instruction short, engaging, and varied, use visuals, storytelling, movement, or hands-on experiences, and make learning fun and memorable. After all, the brain learns best when information is experienced in multiple ways.

C3 – CONCRETE PRACTICE

Reinforce new knowledge by allowing learners to practice using their new skills. Structure activities that allow learners to engage in review activities, teach others what they've learned, and applying the learning to new situations. By using new knowledge, brain connections and retention become stronger.

C4 – CONCLUSIONS

Wrap up learning with reflection and application activities. Include activities through which learners can summarize key takeaways, evaluate and celebrate learning, and develop action plans for real-world application. Each of these will help solidify learning and make it stick in the long-term.

HOW TO USE THE FLIP BOOK

Using Brain Building Blueprints is as simple as flipping through the pages!

• Step 1: Identify which 4Cs stage you need an activity for—Connections, Concepts, Concrete Practice, or Conclusions.
• Step 2: Flip through the corresponding section and choose an activity that fits your learners and setting.
• Step 3: Follow the step-by-step instructions, complete with timing estimates and material lists (if needed).
• Step 4: Implement the activity and watch your learners engage, interact, and retain more effectively!

EASY-TO-FACILITATE BRAIN BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Every activity is designed to align with how the brain learns best. For each activity described in the flip book, you'll find:

The 4Cs Model is brain-based, meaning it enhances retention, engagement, and application of knowledge. Whether you're leading a workshop, running a classroom, or facilitating training, this flip book ensures you deliver memorable and effective learning experiences—with ease!

Take the stress out of lesson planning and create powerful, brain-friendly learning experiences with Brain Building Blueprints!

MORE BRAIN-BUILDING BLUEPRINT TOOLS!

Use the Brain-Building Blueprint Deck to easily access your brain-building activities during your session. (#RDBBBC)

The Brain Building Blueprint Facilitator Kit allows trainers to design and deliver exceptional brain-friendly learning. (#RDBBBF)

WATCH THE DEMO

The 4Cs Instructional Design Model – In a Deck!

Each card in this deck is mapped to the 4Cs Brain-Based Learning Approach, making it effortless to design high-impact learning experiences:

C1 – CONNECTIONS: Get learners interacting and linking new concepts to prior knowledge.

C2 – CONCEPTS: Deliver new information using engaging, multi-sensory techniques.

C3 – CONCRETE PRACTICE: Reinforce learning through hands-on activities, peer teaching, and application.

C4 – CONCLUSIONS: Encourage learners to reflect, summarize, and create action plans for retention.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

The 56-card deck is packed with everything you need to facilitate meaningful and engaging learning sessions:

• 44 Activity Cards – Featuring 11 exercises for each of the 4Cs.
• Overview Card – A quick guide to the deck and its use.
• Tips Card – Helpful suggestions for maximizing engagement.
• A Cool Elastic Band – To keep your deck organized and ready to go!

ON EACH ACTIVITY CARD…

Each card is intuitively designed to provide clear, actionable guidance at a glance:

• Color-Coded Categories – Helps you easily identify where an activity fits in the 4Cs model (but many activities are versatile and can be adapted to multiple stages).
  
• Activity Name – A quick reference for what the exercise is all about.
  
• Purpose Overview – Explains why and how the activity enhances learning.
  
• Time Estimate – Most activities take under 5 minutes—perfect for quick, high-impact engagement!
  
• Description & Setup – A concise explanation of the activity, including any necessary materials.
  
• Facilitation Instructions – Step-by-step guidance to help you confidently lead the exercise.

Why You'll Love the Brain Building Blueprints Card Deck

• Instant Engagement – Quickly liven up any learning environment, whether in a classroom, meeting, or corporate training session.
  
• Brain-Based & Research-Backed – Every activity is designed for maximum learner retention and participation.
  
• Portable & Convenient – A compact, grab-and-go resource for trainers, educators, and facilitators.
  
• Versatile & Adaptable – Works for all age groups, topics, and skill levels, in live or virtual settings.
  
• Zero Prep Time – Everything you need is on the card—no lengthy lesson planning required!

Make learning more interactive, engaging, and effective—wherever you are! Get your Brain Building Blueprints Card Deck today and start creating powerful learning experiences with ease.

MORE BRAIN-BUILDING BLUEPRINT TOOLS!

Use the Brain-Building Blueprint Flipbook to organize your 4C Instructional Design Planning. (#RDBBBB)

The Brain Building Blueprint Facilitator Kit allows trainers to design and deliver exceptional brain-friendly learning. (#RDBBBF)

WATCH THE DEMO

WHAT'S INSIDE THE BRAIN BUILDING BLUEPRINTS FACILITATOR KIT?

This comprehensive kit includes a powerful mix of resources to help you design, deliver, and optimize impactful learning experiences. These research-backed, brain-based resources make lesson planning faster, easier, and more engaging. While the Flip Book offers a structured, comprehensive guide for planning sessions, the Card Deck serves as a grab-and-go solution for injecting high-energy, interactive exercises into any training. Together, these resources empower educators and trainers to plan and facilitate learning experiences that are not only effective but also memorable and enjoyable. Whether you're leading a classroom, corporate training, or workshop, these tools help ensure that every learner stays engaged, connected, and actively involved in the learning process.

BRAIN BUILDING TOOLS & RESOURCES: ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS FOR DESIGN & DELIVERY

1. Brain Building Blueprints Flip Book – A practical flip-through guide featuring a collection of brain-friendly learning activities, based on the 4Cs Brain-Based Learning Model. Quickly find and implement the perfect activity for any stage of learning!

FLIP BOOK FEATURES (ALSO SOLD SEPARATELY: #RDBBBB)

• An innovative, easy-to-use tool designed to help trainers, educators, and facilitators create engaging and interactive learning experiences with minimal preparation.
• Rely on the structured approach of the 4Cs Brain-Based Learning Model—Connections, Concepts, Concrete Practice, and Conclusions—this flip-and-go resource provides an intuitive approach to designing high-impact learning sessions.
• Quickly locate relevant activities that align with your learners' needs, ensuring an effective and well-paced learning experience.
• Easily map out a complete learning session.
• Draw on step-by-step facilitation instructions, estimated time requirements, and a list of any necessary materials, so you can focus on delivering an impactful lesson rather than scrambling to plan it.
• Utilize write-on, wipe-off pages at the back of the book to maximize planning and remember what you did from session to session.

2. 4Cs Brain Building Instructional Design Card Deck (44 Activities) – A compact and convenient set of 44 engaging exercises designed to boost learner participation and retention.

ACTIVITIES DECK INCLUDES (ALSO SOLD SEPARATELY #RDBBBC)

• 44 carefully curated activities – quick, high-impact exercises that align with the 4Cs Brain-Based Learning Model, making it easier than ever to design interactive and effective learning experiences on the go.
• Color-coding indicates which stage of the 4Cs framework it supports, though many activities can be used in multiple contexts, giving facilitators the flexibility to adapt as needed.
• Clear instructions so that activities can be put to use immediately. On each card, find the activity name, an overview of its purpose, estimated duration, setup instructions, required materials, and a clear, step-by-step facilitation guide.

3. 4Cs Brain Building Expansion Card Deck (44 Additional Activities) – Double your engagement options with an extra deck packed with 44 more powerful brain-friendly activities! For those looking for even more variety, an expansion pack is part of the Facilitator Kit.

4. Destination Design Pad – A structured planning tool to help facilitators map out learning outcomes based on:

• Goals – What do learners need to achieve?
• Motivation – How do you inspire engagement?
• Action Plans – Steps to apply the learning.
• Roadblocks – Identifying challenges and solutions

5. 4Cs Laminated Map – A visual session-planning tool that outlines the 4Cs Brain-Based Learning Model, helping you structure engaging and effective lessons with ease.

6. Two Brain Break Laminates – Quick-reference reminders to schedule essential brain breaks during sessions—because a refreshed brain learns better!

7. 50 "Safety" Cards – A unique participant engagement tool, consisting of 10 sets of 5 signal cards that learners can use to communicate with the facilitator without disrupting the session:

• ELMO (Enough, Let's Move On) – When participants feel ready to progress.
• Question – A signal that someone needs clarification.
• Help – When support is needed.
• Appreciation – A non-verbal way to express gratitude.
• Pass – An option to skip responding or participating in a particular moment.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THE BRAIN BUILDING BLUEPRINTS FACILITATOR KIT

• All-in-One Training Toolkit – Everything you need for seamless, interactive learning experiences in a single kit.
• Saves Time & Effort – Ready-to-use tools mean zero prep time—just grab, flip, and facilitate!
• Brain-Based & Research-Backed – Every component is designed to align with how the brain learns best.
• Versatile & Adaptable – Works for any subject, skill level, and learning format (live or virtual).
• Boosts Engagement & Interaction – Keeps learners active, focused, and participating, leading to higher retention and better outcomes.
• Designed for All Educators & Facilitators – Whether you're a teacher, corporate trainer, coach, or workshop leader, this kit helps you deliver high-impact sessions effortlessly.

WHO SHOULD USE THIS KIT?

• Corporate Trainers looking to make learning more engaging and interactive
• Classroom Teachers who want to implement brain-friendly teaching strategies
• Facilitators & Coaches who need a quick-access toolkit for engagement
• Workshop Leaders & Presenters who want structured, high-energy learning sessions
• Anyone leading learning experiences and seeking practical, research-backed tools!

TAKE YOUR LEARNING SESSIONS TO THE NEXT LEVEL!

With the Brain Building Blueprints Facilitator Kit, you have a powerful suite of tools to create meaningful, engaging, and interactive learning experiences—without the stress of planning from scratch!

Ready to transform the way you teach and train? Get your Facilitator Kit today and watch your learners connect, engage, and retain more than ever before!

WATCH THE DEMO

First impressions matter, whether you're walking into a social gala or beginning a new training seminar. How you open your learning event will set expectations and establish a tone for the whole session. In the first few minutes, participants are evaluating how much they think they'll get out of the training, as well as how much effort they'll put in themselves.

Refresh your approach to introductions and icebreakers, by exploring a range of techniques to draw participants in, instill trust, set expectations, build camaraderie, and prime your group for participatory learning. Understand how to use time wisely and avoid the common pitfalls that put participants on guard. In this highly interactive session, you'll learn and exchange favorite approaches for setting the groundwork for lively learning events, whether live or online.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Understand and balance the range of goals for session openers
2. Differentiate time-wasting icebreakers from important session-starters
3. Build psychological safety
4. Help participants build connections with the content and other learners
5. Develop ways to build psychological safety nets to support learning
6. Pick perfect openers to start your session

WHAT TO EXPECT

We practice what we preach! Expect a session that is:

• CUSTOMIZED: Each session is tailored to the needs of the group
• INTERACTIVE- engaging, participator, brain friendly, and active
• ONLINE: Sessions are delivered online (unless in the Boston area)
• TIME: 45-minutes (give or take). If you need a 30- or 60-minute session, we will adapt to your needs

To learn more or schedule a session, click here: https://calendly.com/susan-trainerswarehouse/30min

In this interactive session, we'll explore why building relationships is difficult for adults, discuss the different types of relationships you might want to build and then identify some concrete ways to do it - by asking the right questions, setting ground rules when needed, and having meaningful conversations! Topics covered include the dreaded icebreaker; defining relationship goals; the interdependence of communication, relationships, and trust; the need to ask questions and the "right" types of questions to ask; and the importance of making yourself vulnerable. Attendees will come away with fresh thinking and concrete tools to help them foster communication and relationships with their teams and colleagues.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Enhance facilitation techniques for breaking the ice
2. Develop skills to foster communication
3. Improve ability to ask probing questions
4. Understand the dynamics of building trust and strengthening relationships
5. Better navigate difficult conversations
6. Explore the Pillar of Trust, the power of Vulnerability, and the Certainty/Curiosity Continuum

WHAT TO EXPECT

We practice what we preach! Expect a session that is:

• CUSTOMIZED: Each session is tailored to the needs of the group
• INTERACTIVE- engaging, participator, brain friendly, and active
• ONLINE: Sessions are delivered online (unless in the Boston area)
• PLATFORM: Sessions are typically delivered on Zoom
• TIME: 45-minutes (give or take). If you need a 30- or 60-minute session, we will adapt to your needs

To learn more or schedule a session, click here: https://calendly.com/susan-trainerswarehouse/30min

In this highly interactive session, participants will explore how to design, develop, and deliver training that is not only engaging, but also strategically aligned with business outcomes. Grounded in six powerful, research-based brain-science principles-movement, writing, talking, images, variety, and brevity-this session offers a hands-on approach to enhancing learner retention and performance.

Participants will experience each principle firsthand and discover how these techniques can be intentionally embedded at every stage of the learning cycle:

1. Creating Connections - Build relevance and engagement from the start
2. Delivering Content - Communicate key messages clearly and memorably
3. Concrete Practice - Reinforce new skills through active application
4. Conclusions & Closers - Solidify learning and inspire transfer to the workplace

By the end of the session, participants will leave with:

• A toolkit of active learning techniques to energize any training session
• A clearer understanding of when and how to apply these techniques for maximum impact
• Increased confidence in designing experiences that produce measurable results Experience Bowman's award-winning Training from the Back of the Room techniques and transform your sessions into dynamic, brain-friendly learning events that make learning stick!

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify the six brain-science principles to maximize learning
• Learn 20+ techniques to make your own training more active and memorable
• Gain facilitation tips to draw out shy learners
• Plus, network and share best practices with other trainers

WHAT TO EXPECT

We practice what we preach! Expect a session that is:

• CUSTOMIZED: Each session is tailored to the needs of the group
• INTERACTIVE- engaging, participator, brain friendly, and active
• ONLINE: Sessions are delivered online (unless in the Boston area)
• PLATFORM: Sessions are typically delivered on Zoom
• TIME: 45-minutes (give or take). If you need a 30- or 60-minute session, we will adapt to your needs

To learn more or schedule a session, click here: https://calendly.com/susan-trainerswarehouse/30min