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Bilingual Brain Boost

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Emily Snay

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Bilingual Brain Boost

Understand the cognitive benefits of bilingualism

Students will explore how learning a second language can enhance cognitive abilities such as problem-solving skills and memory. This lesson is important because it helps students understand the benefits of bilingualism and encourages them to learn a second language, which can improve their cognitive functions and delay cognitive decline.

Audience

Grade 6-8 Students

Time

45 mins

Approach

Understand the cognitive benefits of bilingualism

Materials

Whiteboard and markers, Projector or screen, Video: The Benefits of a Bilingual Brain, Discussion Questions, and True or False Quiz

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

  • Greet the students and explain the day's objective: to understand how learning a second language can benefit the brain.
  • Briefly discuss whether any students speak or are learning a second language and what languages they are.

Step 2

Video Viewing

10 mins

  • Introduce the video: 'The Benefits of a Bilingual Brain' which explores how bilingualism affects the brain.
  • Play the video The Benefits of a Bilingual Brain.

Step 3

Guided Discussion

15 mins

  • Use the provided discussion questions to guide a conversation about the video's content.
  • Encourage students to think about and discuss the cognitive benefits of being bilingual.

Step 4

True or False Quiz

10 mins

  • Distribute the true or false quiz to students.
  • Allow students to complete the quiz individually to assess their understanding of the cognitive benefits of bilingualism.

Step 5

Closure

5 mins

  • Review the answers to the quiz questions with the students.
  • Summarize the key points of the lesson and encourage students to consider studying a second language if they aren't already.
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Discussion

Bilingual Brain Discussion

A guided discussion to help students understand the cognitive benefits of bilingualism.

What are some cognitive benefits of being bilingual?

Students should discuss advantages such as improved problem-solving skills, better memory, and delay in cognitive decline.







Why might learning a language as a child offer different benefits compared to learning it as an adult?

Discuss the plasticity of the developing brain in childhood versus lateralization in adulthood.







How can switching between languages enhance brain function?

Talk about increased activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is involved in executive function, problem-solving, and task-switching.







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Quiz

Bilingual Brain Quiz

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