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How does your brain control your body?

How does your brain control your body?
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
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TRY THIS OUT! Look below for tips. Then go to the next slide.

Hole in Hand demonstration

  • Keep both eyes open — with one eye looking through the tube and the other eye looking at your hand.
  • Keep your hand right against the tube.
  • Try different distances between your hand and your eye.

DISCUSS:

Why did it look like there was a hole in your hand? Any ideas?

Hint...

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QUICK EXPERIMENT (PART 1 of 4)
Teacher: choose a volunteer to quickly read these words out loud to the class.

Stroop Effect Test

QUICK EXPERIMENT (PART 2 of 4)
Teacher: have the same volunteer say the COLOR of each word out loud. What do you notice?

Stroop Effect Test

QUICK EXPERIMENT (PART 3 of 4)
Now everyone try! Get into partners. Listen as your partner reads the words out loud. Then switch jobs.

Stroop Effect Test

QUICK EXPERIMENT (PART 4 of 4)
Now listen as your partner says the COLOR of each word. Make sure they get them all right! Then switch jobs.

Stroop Effect Test

DISCUSS:

Which task was harder--reading the words, or saying the colors?


Why do you think that one was so hard to do?

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Slide Image
Slide Image

brain


1 of 10

a part of the body that receives, processes, and responds to signals from nerves
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nerves


2 of 10

the parts of the body that carry signals from one part of the body to another part
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sensory nerves


3 of 10

the parts of the body that carry signals from the senses (eyes, ears, mouth) to the brain

muscle


4 of 10

a part of the body that attaches to bones and allows the body to move
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Slide Image

motor nerves


5 of 10

the parts of the body that carry signals from the brain to muscles
Slide Image

nervous system


6 of 10

the brain and all the nerves in the body
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system


7 of 10

a group of things that affect each other and function as a whole
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dissect


8 of 10

to take something apart to study it
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illusion


9 of 10

something that tricks or confuses your brain
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experiment


10 of 10

a test used to discover new information about a question

Featured Reviews

“The students were engaged and focused. They loved the activities that tricked their brain and the reaction time one too. It is great to see that such a simple and low budget activity pulls them in.”
· Julie · Teacher
“The Hole in Hand activity": The kids understanding that the brain put two images together there appeared to be a hole in their hands, but they knew there was not a hole because their brain had also communicated with their hands to know that there was no injury. ”
· Elise · Teacher
“The kids' favorite part was the chart with the colored words. They loved trying to make it through without making any mistakes. We made a little competition out of it - see who could complete the chart in the fastest time with no mistakes. Lots of fun!”
· Richard · Teacher
“The students love the combination of video, discussion and hands on learning. "This is the funnest class" was quoted by one student. They are eager to go home and try the experiments with their families. ”
· Rhonda · Teacher
“This lesson was brilliant! We particularly loved the small activities in the middle of it--the optical trickery with the tube, and the color-word test--because it gave my students something to do along the way that illustrated multiple aspects of brain power. We had so much fun!”
· Abigail · Teacher
“They were are excited to learn how the hole in hand activity was an illusion. They are now realizing they need to use more than one sensory nerve to give information to their brains during lessons.”
· Ana · Teacher
“The brain tricks were super neat! The kids thought it was crazy that they couldn't switch between reading the words to reading the colors. They also enjoyed the paper roll/hole in the hand activity. We used this lesson to talk about people who study the brain and what jobs they could get if they are interested in the brain. ”
· Kelsey · Teacher
“My 5th grade students did it as a culmination to our brain study and the students LOVED every experiment and couldn't wait to share it with their families! Now that they have some understanding to how parts of the brain work- they were able to have such meaningful discussion as well! ”
· Desarae · Teacher
“the experiements! The kids loved the challenge and paid attention to how their brain was working.”
· · Teacher
“This mystery ties really well to the standards, teaching students what the jobs of the nervous system are. Students really enjoy the various experiments embedded in the mystery!”
· Marlie · Teacher
“This was a great follow up lesson to Mystery #1, and the students really enjoyed seeing the optical illusion in their hand and playing the ruler catch game (though I think a few students embellished their times a bit to try and win the best medal :) ). I am going to use my classroom budget to order the materials for lessons 2 and 3 to do after the holiday break. Thank you so much for having such fun and engaging lessons for the students! It really helps students want to learn about Science.”
· Michael · Teacher
“The children were amazed at how much the brain had to work and how much control it has over EVERY decision we make. ”
· Audrey · Teacher
“My kids really liked the illusions and tricks that showed the brain's processing of sensory input. There is a LOT to explore here, and it's great encouragement for them to continue to study how our cognition works.”
· Leonard · Homeschooler
“Activities were fun and age appropriate, engaging. Students enjoyed the illusions.”
· Loree · Teacher
“seeing the hole in the hand also trying to read the colours”
· Susanna · Homeschooler
“The optical illusions were great! Enjoyed by all!”
· Kimberly · Teacher
“Children were engaged. Good length of time. Easy for the children to understand the concept”
· Sam · Teacher
“This was an excellent lesson. It was especially great watching my pre-schooler participate in the colored number exercise and beat us all in both time and accuracy! That was a fun observation that led to some great discussion! Thanks again.”
· Cindy · Homeschooler
“EXCELLENT!”
· Darryl · Admin
“I used it with both of my science classes now-students loved it”
· Kim · Teacher
“The kids really loved the hands-on experiences, and I loved the simple to understand connections and explanations. Thank you SO much for a great resource!”
· Alisha · Teacher
“I tried this with a 5th grade class. The activities were engaging, and they loved listening to someone else besides me! The explicit instruction for the activities gave me a forum to reemphasize scientific method, like controlling variables. Easy to use, and effective.”
· Susan · Teacher
“The experiment was a lot of fun. My son tried it on all his friends.”
· Simone · Homeschooler
“The two activities that are integrated into the lesson really help the students understand the different jobs of the nervous system. ”
· Jillian · Teacher
“The kids loved reading the color names vs. saying the color the word was written in. It was tricky for them, but such a great learning experience. I suggest doing the add-ons too!”
· Lisa · Teacher
“All the activities were great - easy materials, but great learning fun!”
· Lisa · Teacher
“Really enjoyed how many interactive pieces there were throughout the lesson!”
· Anna · Teacher
“Everything my kids were so engaged and LOVED it!”
· Beth · Teacher
“Students were engaged and asked lots of great questions during and after the activities!”
· Christine · Teacher
“The graphics in the video were a huge hit, and the activity was fun and impactful.”
· Christi · Teacher
“Great lesson for learning how your body works with your brain!”
· John · Teacher
“Loved it, the kids really enjoyed the experiments and the explanations were as clear as ever.”
· Debbie · Homeschooler
“This was a great activity to do with my students. My students began an in depth conversation about reflexes, it was pretty cool to watch it unfold! ”
· Shauna · Teacher
“This lesson was completed with a sub. The kids couldn't wait to tell me about it and my sub was amazed.”
· Jenn · Teacher
“We had a great time conducting the "Think Fast" experiment. The step by step directions and video examples make it easy for the kids to do the activity. The set up and explanations help every student do a good job and make the connections. The kids loved doing the hole in the hand and the reading of the color words. I am going to administration to see if I can get the funds to order this for next year. Thank you so much for making science come to life!! ”
· Margaret · Teacher
“I used it as my observation lesson, and got a great observation! The class loved the optical illusions, and learn how the brain can be tricked sometimes. Great Lessons, looking forward to trying out some others. ”
· Patricia · Teacher
“The ooooos and ahhhhhhs that the children made throughout the lesson! ”
· Kathy · Teacher
“Students loved the activities within the lesson. Every single student was involved. We had rulers, index cards and dollar bills being dropped through fingers.”
· Leslie · Teacher
“Students loved the activity. Some shared that their parents had done the activity with the dollar bill with them. ”
· Joanne · Teacher
“The illusion activity and color word challenge is awesome. I used this with second graders, and they were still capable. Super fun!”
· Andrew · Teacher
“The students loved the hole in the hand and figuring out that the brain is trying to put two messages together”
· Dolores · Teacher
“The realistic pictures!”
· · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students explore the brain’s role in receiving information from the senses, processing that information, and controlling the muscles to enable movement. In the activity, Think Fast!, students test their reflexes with two very quick experiments and one more involved activity. They learn about how we process information in our brains and then respond to that information in different ways.
Preview activity

I have a Mystery Pack

Think Fast! worksheet 1 per student
Blank Paper (8.5 x 11")
1 sheet per student
Rulers
1 ruler per pair
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students will need a partner for the activities.

Each pair of students will need a table or desk.

Exploration

27 mins

Hands-On Activity

20 mins

Wrap-Up

3 mins

Extend this lesson

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Student slideshow: English | Spanish

Teacher printout: English & Spanish

Unit Reading

Unit Reading

Reading in the Dark

In this reading, adapted from an episode of the podcast "Science Update," students learn if reading in dim light can impact your eyesight.

Activity

Activity

Catch a dollar bill

dollardrop Try the “Think Fast” activity again -- but instead of a ruler, use a dollar bill. Start with the catcher’s thumb and finger in the middle of the bill. Remind the catcher that they can’t move until they SEE the bill drop.

The typical human reaction time is about ¼ second. That’s long enough for the 6-inch bill to fall completely through the catcher's fingers!

Mini-lessons

Mini-lessons

You can elaborate student learning and engagement with Mystery Science mini-lessons.

If you are in an NGSS state, these mini-lessons support the DCI LS1.D: Information Processing

Transcripts

Credits
 
Body Lesson 4: How does your brain control your body?

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