Mapping Out Our Brain Explorations

Aim: How do we think about our brains?

Do Now: What are your thoughts about thinking? Write at least one well-developed paragraph in response.

If you have gotten this far, welcome to the official opening of Brain Explorations! We all use our brains to think, but how much time do we actually spend thinking about our brains? In this English writing course we will explore the mysterious workings of our minds and consider ways in which we can exercise and develop them to their fullest potential.

The best way to tackle this class is to come each and every day so that you can benefit from the classroom discussion. Each day, you will be responsible for completing an activity related to brain science. Be sure to read the directions on this blog from top to bottom before tackling the activity.

Today we will explore two different but related disciplines or branches of knowledge: neuroscience from the Greek word meaning nerve, and developmental psychology -- the study of human development from birth to death. In this course we will focus in particular on the teenage years of psychological development.

Step 1: Now that you know the definitions of neuroscience and developmental psychology, it’s time to survey our attitudes and preconceptions about our brains. Take the survey here, answering the questions as honestly as you can. Don’t worry! There are no right or wrong answers. The survey is just designed to get you thinking.

Step 2: Complete this 3-2-1 worksheet . . Either save your worksheet in Google Drive and link it on your blog (be sure to change the sharing to anyone with a link) or just copy and paste your 3-2-1 on your blog.

Step 3: After you have completed the 3-2-1, write a paragraph on your blog explaining what you thought was the most interesting question on the survey and why you answered it the way you did.

Step 4: Try to remember your answers. At the end of the course, you might want to take the survey again.