Download Role of Amygdala, Hippocampus, and Prefrontal Cortex in Emotion Regulation and Learning and more Exams Neuroscience in PDF only on Docsity!
UNDERSTANDING THE BRAIN FOR GRADES 4 - 7
“The brain is like a muscle. When it is in use we feel very good. Understanding is joyous." —Carl Sagan
OVERVIEW
Students learn about the three parts of the brain--the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex-- involved with emotion regulation, attention, and learning to engage their interest and enhance their self- awareness.
PLANNING FOR IT
WHEN YOU MIGHT USE THIS PRACTICE
- Before inviting students to participate in any contemplative (mindfulness) practice
- In preparation for the MindUP™ program, to introduce students to the concept that they can use their brain in ways that will help them focus their attention when needed, calm themselves in the face of anxiety, and be less reactive and more proactive in creating a more productive experience.
- To provide students with the science behind the benefits of mindfulness practice
- To give students a sense of control and empowerment through an understanding of the brain structure and functions
- To teach students about the brain and how it works so that they can use it for greater success in school as well as interpersonal relationships
TIME REQUIRED
LEVEL
- Upper Elementary
- Middle School
MATERIALS
- Images of famous athlete(s)
- Images of the brain, such as this one
- Optional: Worksheet
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Students will:
- Identify the amygdala, the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex on a diagram of the brain
- Understand the basic functions of the amygdala, the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex
- Apply their new knowledge of the brain to everyday scenarios
SEL COMPETENCIES
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Social awareness
- Responsible decision-making
HOW TO DO IT
REFLECTION BEFORE THE PRACTICE
- Consider a recent stressful experience. What did you notice about your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and ability to problem-solve? What steps did you take to calm yourself?
- Next, consider a time you observed a student who was stressed or upset. What did you notice about how their ability to learn or problem-solve was impacted? What helped to calm the student?
INSTRUCTIONS
CLASS DISCUSSION (10 MINUTES)
- Read and discuss the following: o We know that if we exercise our muscles, it makes them stronger. o Did you know you can also exercise your brain? o What are some ways you can think of to ‘exercise’ your brain?
- Next, display photo(s) of one or more famous athletes and ask students to name some others.
- Invite students to share what these athletes have in common. Chart strategies as they are mentioned (e.g. they work out, practice, eat well).
- Let the students know there are other techniques many athletes practice. Tell students that in addition to exercising their bodies, athletes also exercise their minds. This helps athletes to focus their attention, to become more successful in their sport and manage distractions.
- Complex thoughts
- Attention and focus ▪ The prefrontal cortex is responsible for discipline, delaying gratification, and resisting acting on our first impulse so we do not do something we’ll regret.
- For example, not eating all your candy at once! Or stopping yourself from hitting somebody if you are really angry. ▪ It makes it possible for us to hold ideas in mind at the same time, relating them to one another and playing with them. ▪ It makes it possible for us to be flexible in our thinking.
- For example, if one approach is not working, what else might I try? How else might I think about how to do what needs to get done? ▪ An interesting fact about the human prefrontal cortex is that it takes up a greater portion of the brain than in any other animal.
- What does this mean?
- It means that we are very smart! It also means that we have a greater capacity to be thoughtful, to control our thoughts and our actions. o Hippocampus: ▪ It is part of the Limbic System, which is one of the oldest parts of the brain. ▪ It helps you to make new memories, and store and retrieve memories. ▪ It is also involved with our ability to overcome our fear response. We are going to learn more about our fear response later in today’s lesson. o Amygdala: ▪ It is an almond-shaped part of the brain located deep within the brain. ▪ It is part of the Limbic System. ▪ It is one of the first parts of the brain to react. ▪ It helps to keep us safe when we encounter danger by alerting us and making us more vigilant. ▪ It is a structure involved in processing and expressing emotions, especially anger and fear. In other words, it is part of the brain’s emotional filter through which experiences are linked with certain emotions. For example, a child who was bitten by a dog might express fear whenever a dog walks by.
- When labeling and explanation are complete, invite students to participate in the following discussion: o Think for a moment: What would happen if you encountered a frightening situation (for example, an angry dog)? How would your body react?
- After getting feedback from students, discuss the “Fight, Flight, or Freeze” reactions. Explain that one of the amygdala’s jobs is to keep us safe. It doesn’t think. o Our amygdala doesn’t think; it just reacts. It sets off a complex set of reactions that includes all the feelings you might have when an angry dog is barking at you. o Because the amygdala doesn’t think, it can react to certain situations where we perceive danger but we are not actually in danger (for example, when you are taking a test, or have to speak in front of the whole class)
MAKING CONNECTIONS (10 MINUTES)
Step 1: Share Experiences
- Ask students to think about a “big” performance by an athlete.
- Use the following prompting questions: o How do you think they feel when huge crowds of people are watching them? o Have there been times when you have had to perform in front of lots of people? o What did your mind say? What did your body feel like? o If you’re feeling scared or have a lot of fear, this is your amygdala setting off a chemical and electrical reaction in your body. It readies the body to flight, fight, or freeze.
- Ask: o In a situation like a performance or taking a test or being the new kid in class, are you really in danger?
- Explain again: o The amygdala is very primitive and may trigger the same response to a fierce dog as it does to a performance, being the new kid, or a math test. Even though the test is not a dangerous threat like a fierce dog, your body may feel the same way because the amygdala does not know the difference! o Using strategies, like mindful breathing, to calm down the amygdala , the reactive part of the brain, and help to better use your prefrontal cortex , or your thinking part of the brain. In other words, you are going to learn to USE your PFC to calm down your amygdala!
STEP 2: SUMMARIZE THE KEY POINTS
- Now summarize important points about this lesson: o The amygdala is the part of our brain that reacts to situations and/or that it perceives as possibly posing a danger to you. o The prefrontal cortex is the “thinking part” of our brain that is involved in problem solving, complex thoughts, attention, and focus. o The hippocampus is responsible for storing and retrieving memories; it also plays a role in overcoming our fear response. o Over the next series of lessons you will be learning brain-based strategies to help you notice reactions your amygdala signals in your body and respond using your prefrontal cortex. o The amygdala and prefrontal cortex are two important parts of the brain that are affected by practicing mindful strategies.
EXTENSIONS
Mindful Living
- As a class, review what they have learned about the three parts of the brain. Ask the students to notice their thoughts throughout their day and think about which parts of the brain they are using in different scenarios.
- Possible discussion topics: o The stressed brain…
- Following implementation of this lesson, integrate the neuroscience language into your classroom so that students can apply their knowledge of the brain to their own social and emotional understanding of themselves and others.
REFLECTION AFTER THE PRACTICE
- Do you notice if students are making connections between what they have learned about the brain, and their thoughts, feelings, and actions?
THE RESEARCH BEHIND THE PRACTICE
EVIDENCE THAT IT WORKS
Learning about the brain and how it impacts our thoughts, emotions, and actions helps to develop students’ self- awareness, or the ability to be aware of their inner lives.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
As students grow in self-awareness, they cultivate their ability to know how and when to use self-management skills such as navigating emotions in a healthy way (i.e., emotion regulation), persistence, asking for help, setting goals, empathy, and other crucial skills for success. Indeed, studies have found that teaching students to effectively manage their thinking, attention, and behavior can lead to better grades, higher test scores, and stronger relationships.
SOURCE
MindUP Since 2003, MindUP has been helping children develop the mental fitness necessary to thrive in school and throughout their lives. MindUP is the signature program of The Goldie Hawn Foundation, a not-for-profit organization created in response to the global epidemic of childhood aggression, anxiety, depression and suicide. Based firmly in neuroscience, MindUP gives children the knowledge and tools they need to manage stress, regulate emotions and face the challenges of the 21st century with optimism, resilience and compassion. www.mindup.org
