Unit: It's All in Your Mind

 

Topic: Brain Health & Brain Anatomy

 

Rationale: Students will investigate brain development and be sensitive to different mental capacities in the elderly. Students will recognize that maintaining a functional brain promotes autonomy and freedom.

Keywords:  nerve pathways, anatomy, dementia, neural function, sensory, motor, homunculus, cerebrum, cerebellum, memory, learning style

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Lessons & Activities | Overview | Objectives
Evaluation | Subjects | Funding

 

 

Lesson 1: Brain Anatomy

Activity 1A: A Piece of Your Mind: Brain Anatomy Activity 1B: Make Up Your Mind: Brain Cap Activity Activity 1C: You’ve Got a Lot of Nerve: Cells of the Brain & Nervous System Activity 1D: You’ve Got a Lot of Nerve: Parts of a Basic Neuron Activity 1E: Your Wires are Really Crossed: Communication in the Nervous System Activity 1F: Homunculus: “Little Man” Role Play

Lesson 2: Optimizing Your Brain

Activity 2A: Functional Brain Log Activity 2B: Don't Be an Egg Head

Lesson 3: Memory

Activity 3A: What is a Memory? Activity 3B: Memory Meanings Activity 3C: Memory Responses Activity 3D: Writing about Memory Activity 3E: Short-Term Memory & Learning Styles Activity 3F: So What If You're Distracted? Activity 3G: The Impact of Memory Loss Activity 3H: Memory Exercise Activity 3I: Using Lists Activity 3J: Memory Games

Lesson 4: Learning Styles: Optimize Your Acquisition of Knowledge

Activity 4A: What Kind of Smart Are You?

Lesson 5: Changes As Our Brains Age

Activity 5A: Active Elders Activity 5B: Inactive Elders Activity 5C: A Look at Me Elderly Activity 5D: Brain Maps and Neural Networks

Lesson 6: Damaged Brains

Activity 6A: The Case of Willie Activity 6B: Dementias Activity 6C: Folstein Mini-Mental Status Examination

Lesson 7: The Universe of Function

Activity 7A: Universe of Function

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Teacher Resource

Slideshow: ANATOMY of THE BRAIN

 

Overview and Background Information
Unit Overview and Background Information for Teachers

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Unit Objectives

Students will be able to:

• examine their daily behaviors and identify ways in which they can improve the function of their brain

• learn the basic anatomy of the brain

• understand how the brain communicates with the rest of the body

• name the seven ways of acquiring information/knowledge

• identify their personal strengths in learning styles

• understand the difference between short- and long-term memory

• recognize that memory deficit can affect personal autonomy

• investigate strategies to improve memory

• understand the concept of brain degeneration in Alzheimer's, vascular, and alcohol-induced dementias

• explore student attitudes/stereotypes concerning people with dementing disorders

• recognize symptoms, characteristics, and prevention of common dementing disorders

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Subject Areas Covered

	Lsn 1	Lsn 2	Lsn 3	Lsn 4	Lsn 5	Lsn 6	Lsn 7
History					•		•
Science	•	•			•
Math					•		•
English			•	•		•	•
Reading			•	•		•
Fine Art		•				•
Physical Educ	•
Health	•	•		•	•	•	•

 

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Unit/Lesson Evaluation --Under Construction

Pre/Post Tests

It's All In Your Mind Pre Test

It's All In Your Mind Post Test

It's All In Your Mind Pre/Post Tests Answer Key

Activity 1C: Homunculus - Little Man Role Play Pre/Post Test

Activity 1C: Homunculus - Little Man Role Play Pre/Post Test Answer Sheet & Key

 

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Evaluation Suggestions --Under Construction

These activities may be useful for pre and post evaluation and would merit placement in student portfolios for future reference.

Homunculus or "Little Man" Role Play - Activity 1C

Functional Brain Log - Activity 2A

Egghead Activity - Activity 2B

Brain Maps and Neural Networks - Activity 5D

Dementias - Activity 6B

 

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Funding

Positively Aging® Curriculum Program Funding 1997-2008:
National Institutes of Health
National Center for Research Resources
National Institute on Aging
Science Education Partnership Award
Grant # R25 RR 18549

 

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