Today's Aim: How do we analyze the teenage brain?
Do Now: Check out at least one of your classmate's blogs (listed to the right of here.) Leave an encouraging comment but also alert the blogger if you see an embarrassing error.
Our individual brains are so unique, brain transplants (unlike heart
transplants) are not likely to occur in the near future--despite what Dr.
Frankenstein might think. But our brains do share some common parts. As we
grow, those parts develop as well. Where does the teen brain fit in all of
this? Today we’ll look at brain basics and examine the teenage
propensity for risk-taking and what that has to do with brain development.
Step 1: Check out
this interactive
diagram of the human brain. See which parts of the brain control which physical
and mental activities. Note how one injury in one part of the brain can have
devastating effects on the entire body. Obviously, the brain has a lot of
moving parts. One malfunction could create a cascade of unfortunate events.
Step 2: Teenagers
are known as risk-takers. But why? Turns out it’s an evolutionary part of our
brain development. Read about the science of teenage risk-taking in this
article from Science News for Kids.
Step 3: Are you a
risk-taker? After you’ve read the article, write a reflection describing one
time you took a risk and “lost” and then one time you took a risk and “won.”
Compare and contrast the two experiences. What went into your decision-making for
each experience? What lesson did you learn from each experience?
Step 4: Animate your reflection by sending
a Monk-email to a classmate and teacher.
It’s free. Select a monkey character, voice, and accessories. Copy and paste your reflection
where it says “text to speech.” Email
it to yourself and msbecker4@gmail.comFinal Reflection: Taking risks is part of learning and developing, but how do you personally judge if you’re taking it too far?
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