Brain Under Siege

Tracey Bennett

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Brain Under Siege

Students will learn how drugs impact key brain regions and create a visual model to reinforce healthy brain choices.

By connecting scientific facts to a hands-on activity, students build awareness of addiction’s effects, empowering them to make informed decisions about their brain health.

Audience

Grade 6 Students

Time

45 mins

Approach

Video, discussion, and modeling

Materials

Addiction & the Brain - For Kids!, Brain Model Discussion, Brain Model Worksheet, Exit Ticket Reflection, Basic art supplies (clay, markers, paper), and Interactive quiz platform (e.g., Kahoot!)

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 mins

Queue and test playback for Addiction & the Brain - For Kids!
Review the questions and prompts in Brain Model Discussion
Print sufficient copies of Brain Model Worksheet and Exit Ticket Reflection
Set up an interactive quiz on Kahoot! covering video key points
Gather basic art supplies (clay, markers, paper)

Step 1

Introduction

5 mins

Welcome students and introduce the topic: how drugs affect brain function
Explain that today’s lesson combines a video, discussion, and a creative activity to explore addiction as a brain disorder

Step 2

Video Viewing

5 mins

Play Addiction & the Brain - For Kids!
Ask students to note specific brain regions mentioned (e.g., prefrontal cortex, limbic system, midbrain) and how drugs alter their function

Step 3

Interactive Quiz

10 mins

Launch the Kahoot! quiz you prepared
Include questions on which brain parts are affected by drugs and the effects on neuron communication and reward pathways
Encourage friendly competition and discussion of correct answers

Step 4

Discussion

10 mins

Use Brain Model Discussion as a guide
Ask: Which brain areas did you learn about? How do drugs disrupt brain signaling? Why is brain health important?
Solicit student examples and real-life applications

Step 5

Brain Model Activity

15 mins

Distribute Brain Model Worksheet and art supplies
Instruct students to build or draw a brain model, labeling major parts
Have them highlight or color the regions affected by drugs, based on video information
Circulate to answer questions and reinforce key concepts

Step 6

Closure and Reflection

5 mins

Summar

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Discussion

Brain Model Discussion

A guide to facilitate a discussion about the effects of drugs on the brain based on the video and quiz.

What are some parts of the brain that drugs affect?

Refer to the video for specific parts such as the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, and midbrain.

How do drugs change the way our brain works?

Discuss how drugs can disrupt communication between neurons and affect the brain's reward system.

Why is it important to keep our brains healthy?

Emphasize the long-term consequences of drug use on brain health and overall well-being.

Worksheet

Brain Model Worksheet

A worksheet to guide students in creating and labeling a brain model, and marking the effects of drugs on different parts of the brain.

Draw and label the major parts of the brain.

Include parts such as the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, and midbrain.

Use markers to show how drugs affect each part of the brain.

Refer to the video for details on which parts are affected.