Lesson Plan
Meet Your Brain's Anxious Guard Dog
Students will be able to describe the roles of the amygdala and prefrontal cortex in anxiety.
Understanding these brain parts helps students demystify anxiety, normalize their feelings, and empowers them with knowledge to manage their emotions more effectively.
Audience
7th Grade Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Through engaging visuals, interactive discussion, and a hands-on activity.
Materials
Your Brain's Superpowers Slide Deck, "Guard Dog vs. Wise Owl" Diagram, and "Soothe the Guard Dog" Strategy Cards
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Meet Your Brain's Anxious Guard Dog Lesson Plan and all linked materials.
- Print copies of the Guard Dog vs. Wise Owl Diagram Worksheet for each student.
- Print and cut out the Soothe the Guard Dog Strategy Cards Game (one set per small group).
- Prepare to project the Your Brain's Superpowers Slide Deck.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Your Brain's Superpowers
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What are some amazing things your brain can do?" (e.g., remember, learn, create, feel emotions).
- Explain that today they will learn about two specific parts of their brain that are super important for understanding feelings like anxiety.
- Display Slide 1: "Your Brain's Superpowers!" on the Your Brain's Superpowers Slide Deck.
Step 2
Meet Your Brain's "Guard Dog" and "Wise Owl"
10 minutes
- Introduce the concept of the amygdala as the brain's "guard dog" (always looking for danger) and the prefrontal cortex as the "wise owl" (thinking and problem-solving part).
- Use Slides 2-4 from the Your Brain's Superpowers Slide Deck to explain the functions of the amygdala and prefrontal cortex.
- Facilitate a brief discussion: "Why do you think it's helpful to have a 'guard dog' in our brain? When might it be unhelpful?"
Step 3
Activity: When the Guard Dog Barks
15 minutes
- Distribute the Guard Dog vs. Wise Owl Diagram Worksheet to each student.
- Instruct students to draw or write situations where their "guard dog" (amygdala) might bark (e.g., feeling nervous before a test, startled by a loud noise, worried about a presentation).
- Then, ask them to think about how their "wise owl" (prefrontal cortex) could respond to these situations.
- Circulate and provide support, encouraging creative and thoughtful responses.
- Use Slides 5-6 from the Your Brain's Superpowers Slide Deck to guide this activity.
Step 4
Group Brainstorm: How to Soothe the Guard Dog
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
- Give each group a set of Soothe the Guard Dog Strategy Cards Game.
- Instruct groups to discuss each strategy on the cards and categorize them as strategies that help the "wise owl" calm the "guard dog."
- Bring the class back together and have groups share their favorite strategies and why they chose them.
- Display Slide 7 from the Your Brain's Superpowers Slide Deck for group instructions and a debrief.
Step 5
Cool-Down: Closing Reflection
5 minutes
- Ask students to reflect individually: "What is one new thing you learned about your brain and anxiety today?"
- Invite a few students to share their reflections with the class.
- Emphasize that everyone has a "guard dog" and a "wise owl," and learning to work with them is a powerful skill.
- Display Slide 8 from the Your Brain's Superpowers Slide Deck.
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Slide Deck
Your Brain's Superpowers!
What are some incredible things your brain can do?
- Think
- Learn
- Feel emotions
- Remember things
- Be creative
Your brain is constantly working to help you navigate the world!
Welcome students and get them thinking about their amazing brains. Encourage diverse answers to spark curiosity.
Meet Your Brain's 'Guard Dog'
This is your Amygdala (say: uh-MIG-duh-luh).
- Job: Keeps you safe!
- How it works: Always watching for danger.
- Nickname: Your brain's "Guard Dog."
When it senses danger (real or imagined), it barks loud alarms!
Introduce the amygdala as the 'guard dog.' Emphasize its role in keeping us safe, even when there's no real danger.
Meet Your Brain's 'Wise Owl'
This is your Prefrontal Cortex (say: pree-FRONT-uhl CORE-tex).
- Job: The thinking, planning, and calm-down part of your brain.
- How it works: Helps you make good decisions, think logically, and understand feelings.
- Nickname: Your brain's "Wise Owl."
It helps you figure out if the "Guard Dog" is barking at a real threat or just a squirrel!
Introduce the prefrontal cortex as the 'wise owl.' Highlight its role in logical thinking and problem-solving.
Guard Dog vs. Wise Owl
Your Guard Dog (Amygdala) reacts fast to keep you safe.
Your Wise Owl (Prefrontal Cortex) thinks things through.
Anxiety often happens when your Guard Dog barks loudly, even when there's no real danger!
Summarize the relationship between the two. Explain that anxiety often happens when the guard dog barks too much or too loud.
Activity: When the Guard Dog Barks
"Guard Dog vs. Wise Owl" Diagram
- On your worksheet, think of times your "Guard Dog" (amygdala) might bark.
- Draw or write down these situations.
- Then, think about how your "Wise Owl" (prefrontal cortex) could help in those situations.
(Work individually)
Transition to the worksheet activity. Explain the instructions clearly and encourage students to be creative.
Activity Example
Situation: You have a big test tomorrow.
Guard Dog reaction: "Uh oh! I'm going to fail! What if I forget everything?" (Stress, worry)
Wise Owl response: "I've studied hard. I can review my notes for 20 minutes and then get a good night's sleep. I'll do my best."
Provide an example to clarify the activity, if needed. Emphasize that there are no 'wrong' answers.
Game: Soothe the Guard Dog!
"Soothe the Guard Dog" Strategy Cards
- In your groups, discuss each strategy card.
- How does this strategy help your "Wise Owl" calm your "Guard Dog"?
- Choose your top 3 favorite strategies.
(Work in small groups)
Explain the group game and encourage collaborative brainstorming. This is where students will share strategies.
You've Got This!
Remember, everyone has a "Guard Dog" and a "Wise Owl" in their brain.
Learning how they work helps you understand your feelings and gives you tools to calm your "Guard Dog" when it barks too loud.
What's one thing you'll remember about your brain's "Guard Dog" or "Wise Owl"?
Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the main idea: understanding your brain empowers you to manage anxiety.
Worksheet
"Guard Dog vs. Wise Owl" Diagram
Your brain is amazing! It has different parts that help you think, feel, and react. Today, we're focusing on two key players: the Amygdala (your brain's "Guard Dog") and the Prefrontal Cortex (your brain's "Wise Owl").
Part 1: When Your Guard Dog Barks!
Think about times when you've felt a sudden strong emotion like fear, worry, or stress. These are moments when your "Guard Dog" (amygdala) might be barking because it senses a potential threat, even if it's not a real physical danger.
Instructions:
- In the boxes below, describe or draw 3 different situations where your brain's "Guard Dog" might start barking.
- What does your body feel like in that moment? What thoughts might pop into your head?
Situation 1:
Situation 2:
Situation 3:
Part 2: Your Wise Owl to the Rescue!
After your "Guard Dog" barks, your "Wise Owl" (prefrontal cortex) can step in to help you think, plan, and find solutions. It helps you decide if the threat is real and what the best way to respond is.
Instructions:
- For each of the situations you described above, think about how your "Wise Owl" could help you respond.
- What thoughts would your "Wise Owl" have? What actions could you take to calm your "Guard Dog"?
Response to Situation 1:
Response to Situation 2:
Response to Situation 3:
Game
"Soothe the Guard Dog" Strategy Cards
Instructions for Teacher: Print this page and cut out the cards below. Distribute one set per small group for students to discuss.
Strategy Cards
-
Card 1: Deep Breathing
- Strategy: Taking slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
- How the Wise Owl uses it: Sends a signal to your brain that you are safe, slowing down your heart rate and allowing the Wise Owl to think more clearly.
-
Card 2: Talk it Out
- Strategy: Sharing your worries with a trusted adult or friend.
- How the Wise Owl uses it: Getting different perspectives and verbalizing your thoughts can help the Wise Owl organize information and find solutions.
-
Card 3: Mindful Observation
- Strategy: Focusing on 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
- How the Wise Owl uses it: Shifts your attention from internal worries to your external surroundings, bringing your Wise Owl back to the present moment.
-
Card 4: Physical Activity
- Strategy: Going for a walk, running, stretching, or doing some jumping jacks.
- How the Wise Owl uses it: Releases energy and stress chemicals, helping the Wise Owl feel more centered and ready to think.
-
Card 5: Positive Self-Talk
- Strategy: Telling yourself encouraging things like "I can handle this" or "It's okay to feel this way."
- How the Wise Owl uses it: Challenges negative thoughts and replaces them with realistic, calming statements, giving the Wise Owl a stronger voice.
-
Card 6: Problem-Solving Steps
- Strategy: Breaking down a big problem into smaller, manageable steps.
- How the Wise Owl uses it: Engages the logical thinking part of your brain to create a plan, showing the Guard Dog that there is a way forward.
-
Card 7: Creative Expression
- Strategy: Drawing, writing, playing music, or engaging in a craft.
- How the Wise Owl uses it: Provides an outlet for emotions and can distract the Guard Dog, allowing the Wise Owl to approach feelings indirectly.
-
Card 8: Take a Break
- Strategy: Stepping away from a stressful situation for a few minutes to clear your head.
- How the Wise Owl uses it: Gives the brain a chance to reset, reducing the immediate intensity of the Guard Dog's alarm and giving the Wise Owl space to re-evaluate.