Brain Structure Labeling Worksheet

Name: _______________________ Date: _______________________

Use the Brain Structure Diagram to complete the tasks below:

1. Label the three parts on your diagram: cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.
2. Color each part with a different colored pencil or marker.
3. Write one function for each brain part in the space provided.

Cerebrum
Function: _________________________________

Cerebellum
Function: _________________________________

Brainstem
Function: _________________________________

When you’ve finished, pair up and tell your partner one new thing you learned about each brain part!

Brain Structure Diagram

Below is a simplified black-and-white line drawing of a side view of the human brain. Each numbered arrow points to one of the three main parts. On the lines below, write the name of each part.

          ____________
         /            \                       
        /     ____     \                      
       /     /    \     \                     
      |  1  |      |     |                    
      |     \____/      |                    
      |                 |                    
      |        2        |                    
      |      ____       |                    
      |     /    \      |                    
      |____/      \_____|
           \   3   /
            \_____/   

1. ___________________________________________
   
   
2. ___________________________________________
   
   
3. ___________________________________________
   
   
   
   Hint:
   • The largest, wrinkly part at the top is the cerebrum.
   • The smaller, rounded section at the back bottom is the cerebellum.
   • The stalk-like part that connects the brain to the spinal cord is the brainstem.

Warm-Up: Brain Quick Draw

Time: 5 minutes

1. Quick Sketch (1 minute): On your paper, draw a simple side-view outline of the human brain. Set a timer and go!
   
   
   
   
2. Brain Burst (1 minute): Under your drawing, write two words that you think describe one thing the brain does.
   
   
   
   
3. Pair-Share (3 minutes): Turn to a neighbor and show your sketch. Explain why you chose those two words and listen to your partner’s ideas.

Cool-Down: Brain Snap

Time: 5 minutes

On your exit ticket today, answer and complete the following:

1. List the three main parts of the brain you learned about:
   ___________________________________________
   
   
   ___________________________________________
   
   
   ___________________________________________
   
   
   

2. Choose one of those parts and write one function it performs:
   ___________________________________________
   
   
   ___________________________________________
   
   
   

3. Draw a simple picture of the brain part you chose and label it:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Neuron Labeling Worksheet

Name: _______________________ Date: _______________________

Use the Neuron Structure Diagram to complete the tasks below:

1. On the diagram, label each part of the neuron:

   • Dendrites
   • Cell Body (Soma)
   • Axon
   • Synapse
     
     
     
     

2. Color each part with a different colored pencil or marker.

   • Dendrites __________
   • Cell Body __________
   • Axon __________
   • Synapse __________
     
     
     
     

3. Write one function for each neuron part in the spaces below:

Dendrites
Function: _________________________________

Cell Body (Soma)
Function: _________________________________

Axon
Function: _________________________________

Synapse
Function: _________________________________

When you’ve finished, turn to a partner and explain how a signal travels through these parts of a neuron!

Neuron Structure Diagram

Below is a simplified side-view drawing of a neuron. Each numbered label points to one part of the neuron. On the lines below, write the name of each part.

      ( )───┬────────────────────────────• 4
     /|\    │                               Synapse
      |     │
      |     │
     \_/    │
      2     │
      ○─────┼────────────────────────────• 3
            │            Axon             
            │
            │
            │
            │
            └────────
             Dendrites (1)

1. ___________________________________________
   
   
2. ___________________________________________
   
   
3. ___________________________________________
   
   
4. ___________________________________________
   
   
   
   Hint:
   • 1 = The branch-like extensions that receive messages.
   • 2 = The round central part that processes information.
   • 3 = The long fiber that carries signals away from the cell body.
   • 4 = The tiny gap where signals pass to the next neuron.

Neuron Communication Role-Play Cards

Use these cards to help students act out how a signal travels through a neuron and across the synapse. Cut the cards apart and distribute one card per student (or per small group) during the role-play portion of Session 2.

Dendrite Card

Role: Dendrites receive incoming electrical impulses from other neurons.

Action: Stretch your arms out as if catching a signal. When the teacher says “Signal incoming,” pass the message to the Cell Body student.

Cell Body (Soma) Card

Role: The cell body processes the incoming impulse and decides whether to send it on.

Action: When you receive the signal from the Dendrite, nod your head and say “Processed!” then pass an imaginary impulse down to the Axon student.

Axon Card

Role: The axon carries the electrical signal away from the cell body toward the axon terminal.

Action: When you hear “Impulse received,” wave your arm like a conveyor belt moving the impulse toward the Synapse student.

Synapse Card

Role: The synapse is the gap between neurons where chemical messengers cross.

Action: Stand about an arm’s length from the Neurotransmitter student. Hold your hands apart and say “Ready to receive.”

Neurotransmitter Card

Role: Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry the signal across the synapse.

Action: When the Axon student arrives at the Synapse, step forward, hand over a small object (like a pom-pom or token), and say “Here’s the message!” then move on to the next neuron’s Dendrite.

Teacher Tips:

• Shuffle and pass out cards so students don’t know which role they’ll get.
• Prompt each card holder with cues (e.g., “Signal incoming!” “Impulse received!”).
• After the role-play, debrief: ask students to describe the pathway of a signal from dendrites to the next neuron.

When every group has acted out the process, have volunteers explain each step in their own words.

Warm-Up: Neuron Snapshot

Time: 5 minutes

1. Quick Write (2 minutes): In your own words, describe what you think a neuron is and what it does.
   
   
   
   

2. Sketch & Label (2 minutes): On your paper, draw a simple neuron shape (with branches). Then, label two parts you think are important (e.g., body, tail, branches).
   
   
   
   

3. Pair-Share (1 minute): Turn to a neighbor and compare your sketches and descriptions. Discuss one similarity and one difference in your ideas.

Cool-Down: Signal Exit Ticket

Time: 5 minutes

1. List the four key parts of a neuron involved in signal transmission:
   ___________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   

2. In your own words, describe how an electrical impulse travels through these parts (from start to finish):
   ___________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Draw a simple neuron diagram below and use arrows to show the direction of the signal. Be sure to label the dendrites, cell body (soma), axon, and synapse:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

When you’re finished, raise your hand for a quick review of your pathway!

Senses Diagram

Below is a simplified illustration showing how information from each of our five senses travels to the brain. Read the pathways and trace them with your finger.

Sight
Eye → Optic Nerve → Occipital Lobe (Visual Cortex)

Hearing
Ear → Auditory Nerve → Temporal Lobe (Auditory Cortex)

Smell
Nose (Olfactory Receptors) → Olfactory Bulb → Olfactory Cortex

Taste
Tongue (Taste Buds) → Cranial Nerves → Gustatory Cortex

Touch
Skin Receptors → Spinal Cord → Parietal Lobe (Somatosensory Cortex)

Notice how each sense organ connects through nerves to specific areas of the brain. These pathways are key to forming memories.

Memory Formation Worksheet

Name: _______________________ Date: _______________________

Use this sheet to record your observations at each sensory station below. For each station, write what you experienced and which sense you used.

Station 1: Sight Station

• What did you observe?

• Which sense did you use?

Station 2: Sound Station

• What did you hear?

• Which sense did you use?

Station 3: Touch Station

• What did you feel?

• Which sense did you use?

Station 4: Smell Station

• What did you smell?

• Which sense did you use?

Reflection Questions

1. Which sensory experience was most memorable for you, and why?

2. How do you think this sensory information becomes a memory? (Think about encoding, storage, retrieval)

Sensory Memory Matching Game

Use these cards to play a classic memory (concentration) game, matching each concept card (a sense or memory step) with its correct description card.

Materials:

• Print two pages of cards (one with terms/concepts, one with definitions).
• Scissors to cut cards apart.
• Shuffle all cards and lay them face-down in a grid.

How to Play:

1. Students take turns flipping over two cards.
2. If the two cards match (concept + its definition), the student keeps the pair and takes another turn.
3. If they don’t match, flip them back face-down and the next student goes.
4. Continue until all pairs are found. The student with the most pairs wins!

Concept Cards (8)

1. Sight
2. Hearing
3. Smell
4. Taste
5. Touch
6. Encoding
7. Storage
8. Retrieval

Definition Cards (8)

A. Eyes detect light and color (information travels via the optic nerve to the occipital lobe).

B. Ears detect sound (information travels via the auditory nerve to the temporal lobe).

C. Nose senses odors (information travels via the olfactory receptors and bulb to the olfactory cortex).

D. Tongue tastes flavors (information travels via cranial nerves to the gustatory cortex).

E. Skin senses pressure and texture (information travels via the spinal cord to the parietal lobe).

F. Converting sensory input into a memory trace—first step of memory formation.

G. Keeping encoded information in the brain over time—second step of memory formation.

H. Recalling stored information when needed—third step of memory formation.

Tip for printing:

• Print one copy of the “Concept Cards” page and one copy of the “Definition Cards” page per group.
• Cut along the lines to create individual cards.
• For larger classes, have multiple sets ready so small groups can play simultaneously.

When students finish, debrief by asking volunteers to explain one matched pair and why it goes together.

Warm-Up: Sensory Detective

Time: 5 minutes

1. Quick List (1 minute):
   Write down the names of the five human senses.
   
   
   
   

2. Detective Clues (2 minutes):
   Below are three “mystery clues.” For each clue, name which sense you would use to investigate it.

Clue A: You hear crinkling behind the door.
Sense: _________________________________




Clue B: You smell a sweet, citrus scent in the air.
Sense: _________________________________




Clue C: You feel something soft and fuzzy under your fingers.
Sense: _________________________________

3. Pair-Share (2 minutes):
   Turn to a neighbor and compare your sense choices. Discuss why that sense is the best “detective tool” for each clue.