Brain Building Blueprints: Brain‑Based Training Tools for L&D, Educators & Agile Teams

Brain Building Blueprints is the go‑to set of interactive facilitation tools for professionals who refuse to settle for boring training. Built on the proven 4Cs model from Training from the Back of the Room®.

Whether you’re designing corporate workshops, classroom lessons, or agile team sessions, Brain Building Blueprints helps you cut prep time by up to 50% while ensuring every session is balanced with content, interaction, and learning validation.

Ready‑to‑use, brain-based activities for any topic, any group, and any level of learners.

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There is nothing in this book that resembles the traditional classroom setting or lecture halls you may be accustomed to. If you are an educator, regardless of your role or title, and you are looking for something that engages and interacts with your students, you need to explore the concepts and activities inside this flipbook.

When you use 4Cs Brain-Based Instructional Model, you are consciously deciding to create an environment where learner focused education takes place, both in the real world, and virtually.

Who This Toolkit Is For: L&D Teams, Educators & Agile Coaches

Brain Building Blueprints was created for anyone responsible for helping others learn in a meaningful, engaging way. Whether you design formal training, facilitate workshops, or lead agile teams, this toolkit gives you ready‑to‑use, brain‑based learning activities that work in the real world.

  • L&D and HR training teams designing corporate learning programs
  • Educators and professors looking to move beyond lecture‑only teaching
  • Agile coaches, Scrum Masters, and team leads facilitating retrospectives and workshops
  • Facilitators, consultants, and coaches who need high‑impact, interactive session

Ready to bring brain‑based learning into your sessions?

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Angela Agrestos’ marvelous new flip book serves a deep need for both corporate trainers and classroom teachers – helping them create engaging and interactive classes and lessons quickly and easily, using the 4Cs Brain-Based Instructional Design Model as their design and delivery tool.

“Brain Building Blueprints” is brilliantly designed: a practical flip book of easy-to-use activities for any topic or subject area, and for any level of learners. The trainer or teacher simply flips the pages until they come to the activities of their choice for each of the 4Cs Map steps – and voilá! The learning activities are “mapped” and ready to use in any learning environment. Most of the activities in this useful book can be adapted to different age levels, as well as live and virtual classes alike.

Angela’s creative and practical flip book is a must for any corporate trainer’s or classroom teacher’s bookshelf! In fact, no matter what you call yourself (trainer, teacher, instructor, facilitator, tutor, mentor, coach) – if you are helping others learn, Brain Building Blueprints is for YOU!

Sharon L. Bowman, M.A.

Author: Using Brain Science To Make Training Stick

I absolutely love your book. It’s truly a great book and very helpful for the work that we do as trainers/instructional designers

Chris Conlin, PST 

This Book Is Not Like Any Other Facilitation Or Training Tool You May Have Previously Purchased

Ease of use and functionality were critical in designing this flipbook, to ensure this tool doesn't merely end up sitting on your shelf.

1.

Every individual technique shared is a brain-based training technique; meaning it was created with the learner in mind, and how the learner learns best!

2.

Every technique is engaging and interactive.

3.

Step by step instructions and timing estimates are provided for everything! Yes, I said timing estimates are included.

4.

If any materials or set-up is required, they are specifically called out and listed for you.

5.

More than 50% of the activities included take less than 5 minutes.

When you use 4Cs Brain-Based Instructional Model, you are consciously deciding to create an environment where learner focused education takes place, both in the real world, and virtually.

What Problem Brain Building Blueprints Solves

Most training still relies on long lectures, slide decks, and passive listening. Learners tune out, retention drops, and facilitators end up working harder than their participants. Brain Building Blueprints solves this by giving you structured, brain‑based learning activities you can plug into any topic or session in minutes.

  • Turn lecture‑heavy content into active learning engagement without redesigning your whole course
  • Quickly map activities to the 4Cs instructional design model so every session has clear flow and energy
  • Keep learners physically and mentally engaged in classrooms, corporate workshops, and virtual meetings
  • Reduce prep time while increasing interaction, participation, and real learning transfer

Stop wondering how to make your next session more engaging — you can flip, pick, and facilitate proven activities that work with how the brain actually learns.

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How It Works

Step by step instructions, time stamp estimations and facilitation examples help you envision how you might customize these activities for your training topics.

“Brain Building Blueprints” is brilliantly designed: a practical flip book of easy-to-use activities for any topic or subject area, and for any level of learners.

The trainer or teacher simply flips the pages until they come to the activities of their choice for each of the 4Cs Map steps – and voilá! The learning activities are “mapped” and ready to use in any learning environment.

Most of the activities in this useful book can be adapted to different age levels, as well as live and virtual classes alike.

Angela Agrestos’ book gives you not 1, not 2, not 10, not 100 but 14,641 custom brain-based training maps. If you facilitated one meeting every day, it would take you 40 years to try them all!  Instead of having to custom design a new facilitation map for every situation and then wonder whether it will work, I can now turn to this easy-to-use flip book and select proven techniques in minutes.     

 Angela is a master facilitator who has worked closely with Sharon Bowman to make this book a reality. Save yourself time and aggravation by taking advantage of Angela’s wisdom and experience!

Michael de la Maza, PhD, CEC

Author: Why Agile Works: The Values Behind the Results

Thanks for your contributions to agility, training, and human interactions!

Mark Wavle, PST, CBAP 

“Brain Building Blueprints is a must-have when packing my facilitators kit. It serves multiple purposes, a quick reference guide for pre-planning a workshop or responding to requests for impromptu sessions. I feel more relaxed knowing that I have this book with me, readily equipped to respond at a moment’s notice. Highly Recommended!”

Marc Hundleby

bikablo® Certified Global Trainer

Are you tired of feeling like you are lecturing to a completely disengaged audience? 

Are you tired of the traditional training methods you were taught in school?

You are not alone! AND It is not your fault.

As students and educators, we were taught that instruction looked and felt like a cold and unengaging experience where participants needed to sit still, listen, take notes, and learn.

As adult learners and experienced educators we have learned the value of traditional training methods is purely economic. 

If you truly want your learners to learn, and not just listen to you lecture, the techniques in Brain Building Blueprints Flipbook are for you.

If you genuinely want to create a leaning environment where learners learn, you need to buy this book!

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Brain Building Blueprint Card Deck

This marvelous card deck allows you to take the Brain Building Blueprint book on the go – helping create engaging and interactive classes and lessons any time, anywhere with anyone who needs it.

If you are looking for resources to liven up engagement in the classroom or event, get these compact, convenient cards to make connecting with your students or audience a breeze.

 

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Brain Building Blueprints Facilitation Kit

Transform your teaching, training, and facilitation with brain science at your fingertips

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 Decks 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.

What’s included:

  • Flip Book with 44 Engaging Activities – Quick-reference guide organized by the 4Cs framework
  • Two Card Decks (88 Total Activities) – Color-coded cards with step-by-step instructions and timing
  • Destination Design Pad – Structured planning templates for learning outcomes and engagement
  • Two Reusable 4Cs Session Map Templates – Visual planning tools with wet-erase functionality
  • Brain & Body Break Decals – Reminders to incorporate essential movement for better retention
  • Safety Cards (Ten sets of 5) – Tools that create psychological safety and encourage participation

Why it works: The 4Cs framework (Connections, Concepts, Concrete Practice, Conclusions) follows how the brain naturally processes information. Each activity is designed to maximize learning through multi-sensory engagement, meaningful interaction, and practical application.

More than 50% of the activities take under 5 minutes but deliver lasting impact. Clear instructions, timing estimates, and setup requirements make implementation effortless across in-person, virtual, and hybrid environments.

Join thousands of educators and trainers who have discovered how easy and effective brain-based learning can be. Transform your approach, engage your learners, and watch retention soar with the Brain Building Blueprints Facilitation Kit.

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Brain Building Blueprints Card Deck
for Virtual Instruction

This marvelous card deck allows you to take the Brain Building Blueprint book on the go – helping create engaging and interactive classes and lessons any time, anywhere with anyone who needs it.

If you are looking for resources to liven up engagement in your virtual classrooms or events, get these compact, convenient cards to make connecting with your students or audience a breeze.

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A message from the author

Angela Agresto

Thank you to all my clients and readers. My passion for creating and sharing facilitation techniques and tools, like these, originates from the experience and knowledge I acquire working with each of you.

I created this Brain Building Blueprints flip book to provide educators, trainers, instructors and learning facilitators, at all levels, with a quick and portable toolbox full of tips and training techniques.  

I invite you, the reader, to flip through these strategies and then find, choose, and use the ones that will enhance your teaching and enrich the learning of your students and training participants. After exploring, I encourage you to use any, or all, of the training techniques in Brain Building Blueprints to help you build your own customized classes and training programs. 

If you love using the techniques shared here, please sign up below for updates on my new products and books, and connect with me to share how you put this flip book to use!

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