MindUP - Lesson 1
MindUP - Lesson 1
How Our Brains Work
How Our Brains Work
Day 1 - Linking to Brain Research
Day 1 - Linking to Brain Research
Key Players in the Brain
Embedded Files
amygdala
- aka: security guard
- protects us from threats
- "fight, flight, or freeze"
hippocampus
- aka: memory saver
- one behind each ear
- manages response to fear
- stores memory and learning
prefrontal cortex
- aka: Wise Leader or PFC
- controls decision making
- focuses attention
- allows us to learn
Clarify for the Class
Plastic bottle model: water / sand / glitter / metallic confetti
Shake the bottle: amygdala on alert - information scattered
Settle the bottle: calming mind - information can flow easily to the prefrontal cortex (PFC)
Discuss: Name a time when you felt so worried or anxious your mind was working like the shaken bottle. What helped you think more clearly?
Day 2 - Warm-Up
Day 2 - Warm-Up
Celebrating the Brain - to the tune "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean"
My Brain is so Very Important to Me
My Brain is so Very Important to Me
My brain is so very important; it helps me do most everything,
My brain is so very important; it helps me do most everything,
Located here in my head; it's why I can think, choose, and sing.
Located here in my head; it's why I can think, choose, and sing.
My brain, my brain; it is so important to me, to me,
My brain, my brain; it is so important to me, to me,
My brain, my brain; it is so important to me.
My brain, my brain; it is so important to me.
My brain, it helps me think and remember; my brain tells me fight, flee, or freeze;
My brain, it helps me think and remember; my brain tells me fight, flee, or freeze;
It helps all my parts work together, and that's why I just have to say,
It helps all my parts work together, and that's why I just have to say,
My brain, my brain; it is so important to me, to me,
My brain, my brain; it is so important to me, to me,
My brain, my brain; it is so important to me.
My brain, my brain; it is so important to me.
The more your exercise your brain the stronger, smarter and more confident it becomes!
Discuss: "brainstorm" means to allow ideas to tumble out of your brain - it's a way to strengthen your thinking skills.
What are activities you do to exercise your mind?
Day 3 - Engage, Explore & Reflect
Day 3 - Engage, Explore & Reflect
Engage (Brain Power! activity sheet)
review day 2
identify the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala, and the hippocampus
discuss the role and location of each part
point to where they might be on your own head
Explore
bring your fists together with the right and left knuckles aligned and thumbs side by side pointing upward
Model:
prefrontal cortex - your thumbs: the wise leader who helps you make good choices and pay attention
amygdala - tips of your pointer fingers - buried deep inside: the security guard who warns you of danger, keeps you safe, and helps you express emotions like anger and fear
hippocampus - tips of your middle fingers: saver of memories and important information that comes back when you need it
Try this situation:
While driving to school a squirrel runs out in front of your car.
How does your body react?
What are you thinking?
How does your body feel?
Was it your brain's wise leader (PFC), security guard (amygdala), or memory saver (hippocampus) that was working?
Day 4 - In the Real World
Day 4 - In the Real World
Career Connection
neuroscientist - someone who studies the brain and central nervous system
neuroanatomist - structure of the nervous system
neurochemist - how neurotransmitters work
neurosurgeon - operates on the brain
neuropathologist - studies brain diseases
neuropsychologist - explores brain-behavior relationships
Happy Learning: The Brain - Youtube 3:32
Discuss: What "brain work" would you enjoy doing? Why?
Once a Day
What are you using when you respond to something, your amygdala (reaction) or your PFC (reflection)?
What is triggering your amygdala?
What might you change about your style of reaction?
Day 5 - Journal Writing - My Amygdala
Day 5 - Journal Writing - My Amygdala
Print and copy this Journal Page
Draw a picture of a time when your amygdala was activated.
Below the picture write about what happened.
Did your amygdala react to a real danger or did it warn you about a situation that wasn't a real threat?
Day 6 - A Calming Countdown
Day 6 - A Calming Countdown
counting to ten can help you deal with stressful situations
listen to these situations twice: 1st respond immediately 2nd count to 10 then respond
record how your responses different
Situation #1: You are outside when a sudden, severe thunderstorm begins.
Situation #2: A young child takes a favorite toy of yours you want to play with without asking.
immediate response
immediate response
counting to 10 then responding
counting to 10 then responding
Day 7 - That's Scary! No, it's Not!
Day 7 - That's Scary! No, it's Not!
Draw a face on paper or a whiteboard.
Listen for a situation then draw how it makes you feel by putting a smile or a frown on your face and hold it up.
Why do some people respond differently?
Possible situations:
riding a roller coaster
seeing a snake
participating in a dance or music recital or sporting event
spending a night away from home without your parents
traveling a long distance
Day 8 - Take a Big Breath
Day 8 - Take a Big Breath
What helps you to focus and relax?
Deep breathing is a great way to help you focus your attention and relax.
stand up with your feet apart
be at least one arms length away from your neighbor
cross one wrist over the other
SLOWLY breath in through you nose
SLOWLY lift your arms so they meet over your head
let out your breath slowly while you bring your arms down to where they started
Day 9 - Journal Writing - My Prefrontal Cortex
Day 9 - Journal Writing - My Prefrontal Cortex
Print and copy this Journal Page
Draw a picture of a time when you are using your Prefrontal Cortex (PFC).
Below the picture write about what is happening.
What is your PFC helping you do while you are calm and thinking clearly?
Day 10 - Literature Link
Day 10 - Literature Link
When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry
When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry
by Molly Bang
In an angry fit, Sophie runs out of her house. As Sophie begins to notice the natural world around her, she calms down and returns home in a better mood.
In an angry fit, Sophie runs out of her house. As Sophie begins to notice the natural world around her, she calms down and returns home in a better mood.
Page updated
Report abuse