Lesson 2 The nervous system

Practicum Lesson Number Topic and Focus 2 Time of Lesson The Nervous system 11.30 12.30 Duration of Lesson 1 hour Year Level 5/6 Supervisor Class Size 7

Key concepts - The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and a large network of nerves. - The brain is the control centre of the nervous system and is divided into the left and right hemispheres. - The left and right hemispheres of the brain have 4 lobes, the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes.

Skills - Ability to design and construct a simple model, including annotations, that illustrates understanding of the structure of the brain and a neuron.

Students Background Knowledge: We have a brain that controls us. However students dont realise that you cannot live without your brain.

Resources and Materials Books. Stage of Lesson Task Time Student action Teacher action

Stage 1 Introduction

Stage 2 Body of lesson

Stage 3 Conclusion

Brainstorm about what they think the nervous system means. What makes up a nervous system? Get students to draw a diagram of what they think a brain looks like then show them a real digram Task 1 Hemispheric specialisation task. Using books to find out what our left and right sides do differently. Task 2 Lobes. Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital. Researching one of these each. Looking at the main role of these using books. Reporting back to and teaching peers. Task 3 Other parts of the brain (brain stem and cerebellum). Researching one of these each. Looking at the main role of these using books. Reporting back to and teaching peers. Charades Play a game of charades using the facts students discovered in tasks 2 and 3. Students act out the function and the others have to guess which part of the brain is responsible for it.

10 mins

Brainstorming thoughts and drawing a brain.

Giving students ideas about what to brainstorm

10 mins

Inquiring into hemispheric specialisation. Using books.

Guiding students

15 mins

Inquiring into a function of one lobe each (some students work in pairs)

Guiding students

15 mins

Inquiring into a function of a part of the brain working in pairs.

Guiding students

10 mins

Playing charades. Acting out and Guiding students guessing.

Stage 4 Closure

Comment on student behaviour and thank students

1 min

Sitting and listening.

Talking to students