The Right Brain vs. Left Brain

Day Six

Objectives:

Students will learn the functions of the brain associated with the two distinct sides of the brain.

Illinois Learning Standards:

12.A3a Compare and contrast how different forms and structures reflect different functions.

Materials:

	Website called Neuroscience for Kids- Explore the Nervous System: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/introb.html
	Funderstanding website: http://funderstanding.com/right_left_brain.cfm
	The Split Brain Game: http://nobelprize.org/medicine/educational/split-brain/index.html

Procedure:

	Discuss the concept that people have two styles of thinking. By this lesson, the students will have experimented with different modalities in Math; for example, dealing with logical vs. random thinking patterns, concentrating on the whole problem vs. dividing it into parts, etc. You will find a chart of the characteristics of Right Brain vs. Left Brain on the Funderstanding website listed above. Emphasize the concept that the two sides of the brain function together but it is not necessarily balanced in all individuals. For some students, the left side is dominant while in others , it’s the right side that shows dominance. Discuss the concepts associated with each side and ask them to consider if they are more dominant in one side.
	Have the student as a class or alone play the Split Brain Game listed above to see the brain in cartoon action.
	Many Science books will have activities to connect the idea of right or left handedness, the dominance of one foot over the other or one eye over the other.

Assessment:

	Have each student write a paragraph explaining which side of their brain is more dominant or why they think their brain is equally balanced.
	Require them to list the characteristics they used to make their decision.
	The paragraph should follow the basic power-writing format of 1-2-3-2-3-2-3-4 and scores should be lowered if the student does not use correct grammar and punctuation.