Lesson Plan: Basic Brain Anatomy For Elementary School
When teaching the different parts of the body, you cannot forget the brain — the control center of all bodily functions. Explain to the
students that everything their bodies do — both voluntary and involuntary — is orchestrated by the brain. This first lesson plan on the brain will cover the different parts of the brain: the cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem.
Interactive Visual Aids
Students can benefit greatly from the use of visual aids when learning about the brain. One option is an interactive model, in which the different brain lobes are colored coded so that the students can take it apart and see the internal brain structures (another anatomy lesson). Another option is using a preserved brain. Check with your school’s lab department if there are any available. Many times, they will have a sheep’s or pig’s brain, so use a plastic model of a human brain to explain the difference in size. When holding a preserved brain, use gloves to protect your hands. If you cannot obtain a 3-D model, use an image of the brain that identifies the lobes with different colors.
Explaining the Cerebrum
The longest part of the lesson will be explaining the cerebrum, which is the largest part of the brain. Using an image of the brain that isfrom a superior view (top of the brain), show the students that the brain is divided into two sections — a left hemisphere and right hemisphere. Note that each hemisphere has four lobes: frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe and occipital lobe. Use a lateral image (external side) of the brain to show where each lobe is located. The difference between the left and right hemispheres and the function of each lobe will be different lessons.
When teaching the location of the brain lobes, it is important to go over the proper terminology. Write these terms on the blackboard or pass out a handout:
- Superior: towards the head (top)
- Inferior: away from the head (bottom)
- Anterior or Ventral: the front part
- Posterior or Dorsal: the back part
- Medial: towards the middle
- Lateral: towards the side
Once the anatomical terminology has been discussed, explain where each lobe is in the brain:
- Frontal lobe: anterior most lobe
- Parietal lobe: posterior to the frontal lobe
- Temporal lobe: posterior to the frontal lobe, inferior to the parietal lobe
- Occipital lobe: posterior most lobe
Explaining the Cerebellum
Next part of the anatomy lesson is explaining the location of the cerebellum. Point out to students that this is the second largest part of the brain. Using the model or image, show the students how the cerebellum is below the occipital lobe, and how it looks different from the cerebrum in its outer layer.
Explaining the Brain Stem
The last part of the basic brain anatomy lesson is the brain stem. Show students how the brain stem connects the brain to the spinal cord. Note to them that while the brain stem is much smaller than the rest of the brain, it is a very important part of the brain.
Exercises
Once the basic brain anatomy has been covered, quiz students to see if they understand the material. Prepare two brain images: one that has outlines for the three major parts of the brain, and a second that has the four lobes outlined. Check to see if they can identify the different parts. Next, write on the blackboard pairs of anatomical parts of the brain, such as:
Frontal lobe → Parietal lobe
Occipital lobe → Temporal lobe
Ask the students to define their spatial relationship, using the newly learned anatomical terminology. Check to see if they comprehend and can apply it.
Students can also refer to the accompanying study guide for further review.
References
- University of Washington: Lobes of the Brain,
- Image Credit: Gehirn, Lateral - Lobi + Stammhirn + Cerebellum by NEUROtiker under CC by -SA 3.0
- Image Credit: Lobes of the Brain by Mysid from Gray’s Anatomy under Public Domain
- Washington University of St. Louis School of Medicine: The Internet Stroke Center.
- Image Credit: Human Brain Soul of Man by Looie496 under Public Domain
This post is part of the series: Lesson Plans on Brain Anatomy
A series of lesson plans on the anatomy of the brain.
