Introduction
THE BRAIN
The brain is a constant source of scientific interest. Because this organ is so complex, even scientists who have studied it for decades are far from fully understanding exactly how and why it works. We certainly cannot answer every question that exists about this amazing organ, but we will take a look at this interestingn organ. We will discuss the many different parts of the brain and their function.
Task
1. draw the brain,
2. label the different parts of the brain,
3.briefly describe the function of each of the parts.
4. Will write about the brain for children.
Process
First students will, draw and label the parts of the brain.
After labeling the parts of the brain, the color each of the 4 different lobes of the brain different colors: The Cerebral Cortex is made up of the: Parietal lobe, Temporal lobe, Frontal lobe and Occipital Lobe.
Then continue to label the following parts of the brain, drawing lines to where they are exactly:
- Cerebral Cortex f. Corpus Callosum
- Thalamus g. Hypothalamus
- Midbrain h. Cerebellum
- Medulla Oblongata i. Pons
- .Spinal Cord
By each label, briefly describe the functions each part of the brain is responsible for.
Finally, write a three-sentence conclusion about what you thought was the most interesting part of learning about the brain.
2.
You will now write about the brain, including the different parts of the brain, and briefly describe the function of each of these parts. Your audience is elementary school kids. Think of the series “The Magic School Bus”. In these stories, kids learn about the places and things by taking a school bus tour to them. Of course, something always goes wrong to make an interesting story! When you write your children’s story, make sure it is easy to understand.
Be sure to include:
- Your story with the different parts of the brain and their functions included.
- A conclusion to your story where you describe what part of learning about the brain was most interesting to you.
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Be sure to use complete sentences and paragraphs. You are communicating through writing…so you’ll want to make sure it makes sense. You may want to have someone else read it to make sure it is understandable. Have fun!
Evaluation
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Category
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4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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Required Elements |
The drawing is on a full sheet of paper, includes, the 4 different.
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Drawing is not on a complete sheet of paper, but is adequately sized. |
Drawing is not large enough, but is neat. |
Drawing is not large enough to be seen. |
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Labels |
The four lobes are different colors The brain is labeled correctly with lines showing exact location. |
Lobes identified not colored correctly, labels lacking lines drawn to exact location |
Four lobes identified but labeled incorrectly. |
Drawing does not have four lobes identified and is not labeled correctly. |
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Description |
Each part of the brain is briefly described. |
Descriptions are not in enough detail. |
Lacks sufficient description to each part. |
Inadequate description to each part of the brain. |
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Conclusion |
Three sentence conclusion is thorough. |
Conclusion is not clear. |
1-2 sentence conclusion. |
Inadequate conclusion. |
Story Evaluation
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Category |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
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Interesting |
Story is very interesting and captures the attention of elementary school kids. |
Story is quite interesting, but lacks excitement. |
Story goes from interesting to boring and will lose elementary school kids focus. |
Story is difficult to follow and will not capture attention of elementary school kids. |
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Story includes different parts of brain and their function |
Story describes each part of the brain and their function |
Story describes each part of the brain and their function, but some functions are incorrect. |
Story describes each part of the brain but lacks the functions. |
Story does not describe each part of the brain and their function. |
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Conclusion |
Conclusion describes the part of the brain that was most interesting to story writer. |
Conclusion lacks sufficient detail in why it was most interesting to story writer. |
Conclusion describes part of the brain, but not why it was interesting to story writer. |
Lacks conclusion |
Conclusion
Print and fill out learning log. Turn in with project.
Name ____________________
Subject ___________________
Date _____________________
Learning Log Questions
Please answer in complete sentences
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1. What did I do in class today?
Give a brief description of your class activities. |
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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2. What did I learn?
There’s always something! |
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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3. What did I find most interesting?
“Nothing” is not an acceptable answer. |
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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4. What questions do I have about what I learned?
This is important- THINK! |
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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5. What was the point of today’s lesson?
Why would your teacher plan this activity? |
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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6. What connections can I make to previous learning?
Is there any connection to something you’ve learned in other classes, this class, perhaps something you thought about? |
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Credits
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Teacher Page
This lesson is designed for Biology I students. In class, students have been learning about the brain and its functions. This lesson was a great way to get students acquainted with the parts of the brain and their functions. It also gives them the opportunity to become creative with the brain, in describing the parts and functions to elementary school kids.