March 2014

PAINS IN THE BRAIN

! FOURTH GRADE QUEST/A STUDY ON CONCUSSIONS AND THEIR EFFECTS

How can we increase

awareness of the danger of concussive injuries?

The students are deep in their new unit, Pains in the Brain. Before beginning any research on concussions themselves, the students have been researching the different parts of the brain. We have completed a thinking maps activity over each of the lobes, brain hats (check out the pictures included in this attachment), and we have completed our display on the wall outside of the QUEST room. Check out the picture on the right!

COMING UP!
In the next weeks, the students will be looking solely at concussions. Some questions they will be answering are: -What are concussions? What are the symptoms and long term effects? -What are national or local agencies doing to try and prevent them? -How are athletic manufacturing companies responding?

LEARNING GOALS
Students will be able to... Label the different parts of the brain and describe the functions of each part Understand how each part of the brain is a necessary component for normal functioning Explain how concussions affect the brain Recognize all of the different safety precautions we have in place to help protect the brain Hypothesize why the number of concussions have increased throughout the years Evaluate current precautions and safety gear for effectiveness when protecting the brain Apply their knowledge of the brain and its parts in order to discover and produce innovative ways that

More Brain Hat Pictures!

QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK YOUR CHILD

What are the different lobes of the brain and what does each lobe do? There is a myth that states we only use 10% of our brain - why do you think this is untrue? What are neurons? What is something interesting you learned about neurons? How fast does information travel in your body? How do you know?

The kids have also been studying neurons and their function in the brain/body. Check out this picture of a neuron -- ask your child to explain the importance of neurons to you!

THEME: CHANGE
Enduring Understand
change. Change generates addition

ings
al

Conflict can lead to Chan ge. Change is necessary for Change is inevitable. growth.

Problem-Solving Strategie be used to manage chan

ge. Change can either be go od bad.

s can or