My Brain Bosses

Name: ________________________

My Emotion Alarm (Amygdala)

Think about your brain's "fire alarm"! When does it go off really loudly? What does it feel like in your body when you have a big emotion like frustration or anger?

Draw a picture of your Emotion Alarm and what it looks like when it's ringing loudly:

Write down some feelings that make your Emotion Alarm ring:

My Wise Leader (Prefrontal Cortex)

Think about the "captain" of your brain! How does your Wise Leader help you when your Emotion Alarm is ringing? What are some things your Wise Leader can do?

Draw a picture of your Wise Leader helping to calm things down:

Write down some things your Wise Leader can tell you or actions it can take to help:

Unleash Your Inner Brain Boss Script

Warm-Up: How Are You Feeling? (5 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today we're going on an exciting adventure into our own brains! Before we start, I want you to think about how your bodies feel when you have a really strong feeling. Not just a little feeling, but a BIG emotion, like when you're super excited because it's your birthday, or really frustrated because your LEGO tower keeps falling over."

"Close your eyes for a second, and just notice your body. Does your heart beat fast? Do your muscles feel tight? Does your face get hot?"

"Now, can anyone share how their body feels when they have a big emotion? Raise your hand if you'd like to share."

(Allow 2-3 students to share. Validate their responses, e.g., "Yes, sometimes my tummy feels fluttery when I'm excited too!")

"Great sharing, everyone! It's amazing how our bodies tell us what we're feeling. Today, we're going to learn about the incredible part of our brain that helps us understand and even manage these big feelings!"

Introducing the Brain Bosses (10 minutes)

(Transition to the Brain Power Boosters Slide Deck - Slide 1: Welcome, Brain Bosses!)

"Alright, let's dive into our brains! Have you ever wondered why you feel the way you do? Well, your brain is like a control center, and it has different parts that do different jobs."

(Transition to Slide 2: Meet Your Emotion Alarm!)

"Deep inside your brain, there's a special part. It's kind of like your brain's FIRE ALARM! Who knows what a fire alarm does? It goes off when there's danger or something important to notice, right?"

"This part of your brain tells you when you're feeling a strong emotion. It's like an 'Emotion Alarm.' It warns you about feelings like fear, anger, or even super strong excitement! This part is called your AMYGDALA! Can everyone say 'Amygdala' with me?"

(Pause for students to repeat)

(Transition to Slide 3: When the Alarm Rings LOUDLY...)

"Now, sometimes, this Emotion Alarm rings REALLY LOUDLY! When it does, it can make it hard to think clearly, make good choices, or stay calm. Have any of you ever felt like your 'Emotion Alarm' went off really loudly and made it hard to think? Maybe you said something you didn't mean, or you couldn't figure out a math problem even though you knew how?"

(Allow 1-2 students to briefly share short examples.)

"It's totally normal for this to happen! But guess what? You have another amazing brain part that can help!"

(Transition to Slide 4: Meet Your Wise Leader!)

"This other brain part is like the CAPTAIN of your brain. It's super smart and helps you think things through, solve problems, and make smart decisions. This is your PREFRONTAL CORTEX! That's a big word! Let's say 'Prefrontal Cortex' together!"

(Pause for students to repeat)

(Transition to Slide 5: Your Wise Leader Can Help!)

"So, when your Emotion Alarm gets loud, your Wise Leader can step in and help! It helps you calm down, choose how to react, and find solutions. We can actually train our Wise Leader to be even stronger, just like you train for a sport or practice an instrument!"

Brain Boss Worksheet & Discussion (10 minutes)

"Now, you're going to get to know your Brain Bosses a little better! I'm going to hand out this Brain Boss Worksheet."

(Distribute the worksheets.)

"On this worksheet, you'll see two sections: one for your Emotion Alarm (Amygdala) and one for your Wise Leader (Prefrontal Cortex). I want you to either draw a picture or write about your Emotion Alarm and your Wise Leader."

"For your Emotion Alarm, think about what it looks like when it's ringing loudly. What feelings make it ring? For your Wise Leader, draw or write about how it helps to calm things down and what smart actions it can take."

(Circulate around the room, offering guidance and encouragement. After about 7-8 minutes, bring the class back together for a brief share-out.)

"Alright, let's share some of our amazing brain bosses! Who would like to share what their Emotion Alarm looks like, or what their Wise Leader helps them do?"

(Allow a few students to share their drawings or ideas.)

Cool-Down: Deep Breaths for Your Brain (5 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 6: Give Your Wise Leader a Boost!)

"That was fantastic! Now, before we finish, I want to teach you one super power you can use right away to help your Wise Leader. This super power is... DEEP BREATHING!"

"When your Emotion Alarm gets loud, taking a few slow, deep breaths can send a message to your brain to calm down, helping your Wise Leader think clearly."

"Let's try it together. Put one hand on your belly. Now, take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, feeling your belly rise like a balloon. Hold it for a moment, and then slowly let it out through your mouth, feeling your belly go down. Let's do three together."

(Lead the class in three slow, deep breaths.)

"Amazing! You just gave your Wise Leader a boost! Remember, when you feel a big emotion, you can always take a few deep breaths to help your Wise Leader take charge and help you make smart choices. You are all incredible Brain Bosses!"

"Next time, we'll talk even more about how to use our Wise Leader to stay calm when things get tricky!"