That part does WHAT?
The brain is complex and throughout our lifespan continues to create new neural pathways and alter existing ones in order to adapt to new experiences, learn new information and create new memories. This lesson explores students' understanding of different parts and functions of the brain so they better understand the learning process.
Year level
7-10
Duration
60 minutes
Type
In class activity
SEL Competencies
Self-awareness
Self-management
Social awareness
Learning intention
Students work collaboratively to develop an understanding of the different parts and functions of the brain. They also discover that the brain is malleable, and that engaging in challenging tasks ensures that the brain is always growing (neuroplasticity).
Key outcomes
By the end of the lesson, students will understand that:
the brain strengthens with use. Learning and practising challenging things helps your brain to form new connections and to grow
they can improve how they learn throughout life by understanding how the brain works
the brain is a muscle and is always changing. This is known as neuroplasticity.
Materials needed
6 x A3 pieces of paper for group activity
Box of pens/pencils
Laptops/computers/iPads/tablets
Mapped to
Australian Curriculum: General Capabilities
Personal and Social Capability:
Social awareness
Social management
Self-awareness
Self-management
Critical and Creative Thinking:
Inquiring
Generating
Activity 1
Class discussion: Brain facts
20 minutes
The teacher demonstrates the size of the human brain. For a high-impact visual demonstration, use a model or a medium-size cauliflower. Two hands pressed together also makes a good visual.
Students work as individuals to come up with as many facts about the brain as they can.
Students then work in small groups of three to combine their facts on to one sheet of A3 paper.
Each group reports back to the teacher, who collates the facts on the board under the heading ‘What we know about the brain’.
Activity 2
Group work: Parts of the brain
30 minutes
Students split into seven groups.
The teacher assigns each group one of the following sections of the brain to research and become experts on its function:
brain stem
cerebellum
temporal lobes
occipital lobes
parietal lobes
frontal lobes
neurons.
Students work to summarise the main functions of the brain part allocated to their group and record their findings. (Each member of the group should have the same information written down.)
Once the information has been summarised, form different groups with one member representing each section of the brain.
Students share with each other what they have learnt.
Activity 3
Reflection: 140 character thoughts
5 minutes
Emphasise to students: The more you learn, the more your brain grows.
Students reflect on what they have learnt in the lesson using 140 characters only. After the lesson, use a class hashtag on Twitter (e.g. #year9brains, #howmybrainworks) to continue the discussion about how the brain works.
Activity 4
Brain-streching exercise
5 minutes
A police officer saw a truck driver clearly going the wrong way down a one-way street but didn’t try to stop him. Why not?
Tip:
The truck driver wasn’t going in reverse, nor was he in any particular danger.
Answer:
The truck driver was walking.
