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Lesson Plan

Brain Science Unit Plan

Students will explore neuron structure and function, analyze how substances like alcohol and nicotine disrupt neural processes, and demonstrate understanding by completing a substance-effect chart and quiz to support informed health decisions.

Equipping 10th graders with scientific insight into how drugs affect the brain promotes informed choices, reduces risk behaviors, and fosters long-term cognitive and emotional wellbeing.

Audience

10th Grade Small Group (Tier 2)

Time

70 minutes

Approach

Interactive slides, guided charting, + quiz.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

10 minutes

  • Pose question: “What are the main parts of a neuron and their roles?”
  • Prompt peers to share prior knowledge; record responses on board
  • Use first 3 slides of Neurons Under Siege as visual cues
  • Scaffold quieter students with sentence starters (e.g., “The axon ___”).

Step 2

Direct Instruction

20 minutes

  • Present slides 4–12 in Neurons Under Siege
  • Explain dendrites, cell body, axon, synapse, and neurotransmission process
  • Introduce how substances (alcohol, nicotine) alter synaptic transmission
  • Pause for quick check-ins: ask “How does alcohol affect neurotransmitter release?”
  • Highlight real-world scenarios (peer pressure situations)

Step 3

Guided Worksheet Activity

20 minutes

  • Distribute Substance Effect Chart
  • Model completion for “Alcohol”: mechanism, short-term, long-term effects
  • Students pair up to complete 2–3 substances each
  • Circulate to support Tier 2 learners: prompt with guiding questions, offer graphic organizers
  • Encourage use of slide notes for accurate detail

Step 4

Assessment & Quiz

15 minutes

  • Collect charts for formative feedback
  • Hand out Brain Quiz; students work individually
  • Offer extra time or simplified question sheet for students needing support
  • Explain quiz will be graded with Quiz Answers & Explanations

Step 5

Reflection & Wrap-Up

5 minutes

  • Facilitate round-robin: each student states one takeaway about brain health
  • Summarize key points on substance effects and decision-making
  • Assign optional extension: research a less common substance’s neural impact for next session
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Lesson Plan

Brain Science Unit Plan

Over three 70-minute sessions, students will identify neuron structures, analyze how substances disrupt neural communication, and apply this knowledge in assessments and informed decision-making activities.

Understanding how drugs affect the brain empowers students to make healthier choices, reduces risk behaviors, and builds critical thinking about substance use.

Audience

10th Grade Small Group (Tier 2)

Time

210 minutes (3 × 70-minute sessions)

Approach

Interactive slides, guided charts, discussions, and quizzes

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

20 minutes

Step 1

Session 1: Neuron Structure & Substance Introduction

70 minutes

  • Warm-Up Discussion (10 min):
    • Question: “What are the main parts of a neuron and their roles?”
    • Record responses on the board using slides 1–3 of Neurons Under Siege
    • Scaffold quieter students with sentence starters (e.g., “The axon ___”).
  • Direct Instruction (20 min):
    • Present slides 4–12 of Neurons Under Siege
    • Explain dendrites, cell body, axon, synapse, and neurotransmission process
    • Introduce how alcohol and nicotine alter synaptic transmission
    • Quick check-in: “How does alcohol affect neurotransmitter release?”
  • Guided Worksheet Activity (25 min):
    • Distribute Substance Effect Chart
    • Model completion for “Alcohol”: mechanism, short-term, long-term effects
    • Students pair up to chart “Nicotine” and one additional substance
    • Circulate to prompt Tier 2 learners with guiding questions and organizers
  • Exit Ticket (15 min):
    • Quick write: list three new facts about neurons and one question you still have
    • Collect responses to gauge understanding

Step 2

Session 2: Analyze Substance Effects

70 minutes

  • Warm-Up Recall (10 min):
    • Review key neuron parts and findings from exit tickets
    • Chart student answers on board
  • Deep Dive Chart Activity (30 min):
    • Students complete remaining rows of Substance Effect Chart for marijuana, caffeine, and prescription drugs
    • Use slide notes as reference
    • Teacher checks in with Tier 2 students, offering sentence starters and graphic organizers
  • Case Study Discussion (20 min):
    • Distribute two peer-pressure scenarios
    • In small groups, analyze how neural effects might influence behavior
    • Groups share insights and coping strategies
  • Quick Check (10 min):
    • 2-question pop quiz on substance mechanisms
    • Review answers as a class

Step 3

Session 3: Assessment & Extension

70 minutes

  • Review & Q&A (10 min):
    • Summarize neuron function and substance impacts
    • Address any lingering questions
  • Brain Quiz (25 min):
    • Hand out Brain Quiz
    • Students complete individually; offer extra support as needed
  • Quiz Review & Feedback (15 min):
  • Extension Project Intro (10 min):
    • Introduce optional research assignment: select a lesser-known substance and use Neural Research Template
    • Discuss expectations and due date
  • Final Reflection (10 min):
    • Round-robin: each student names one smart decision strategy based on brain science
    • Collect takeaways to reinforce learning
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Slide Deck

Neurons Under Siege

How substances affect neuron communication and your brain health.

Introduce the session: review objectives and explain why understanding neurons helps make healthier choices.

What Is a Neuron?

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

Ask students: “What are the main parts of a neuron?” Record responses and label a diagram on the board.

Neuron Structure

Dendrites receive signals
Cell Body processes information
Axon transmits impulses to the synapse

Show a simple neuron diagram. Confirm definitions and correct any misconceptions.

Synapse & Neurotransmission

• Impulse travels down the axon
• Neurotransmitters released into synaptic cleft
• Receptors on next neuron receive the message

Explain how electrical impulses become chemical signals at the synapse.

How Substances Interfere

Drugs can:
• Mimic neurotransmitters
• Block receptors
• Overstimulate or suppress signals

Use the “lock-and-key” analogy: some drugs fit receptors, others block them.

Alcohol

Mechanism: Enhances GABA, reduces glutamate
Short-term: slowed reaction, impaired coordination
Long-term: brain shrinkage, memory problems

Explain how alcohol enhances inhibitory signals and dampens excitatory ones.

Nicotine

Mechanism: Stimulates acetylcholine receptors
Short-term: alertness, dopamine release
Long-term: addiction, cardiovascular issues

Highlight nicotine’s rapid brain effects and long-term health risks.

Marijuana (THC)

Mechanism: Binds cannabinoid receptors
Short-term: altered perception, memory impairment
Long-term: learning & memory deficits

Discuss THC’s impact on developing brains and learning.

Caffeine

Mechanism: Blocks adenosine receptors
Short-term: increased alertness, jitteriness
Long-term: tolerance, withdrawal headaches

Relate caffeine’s effects to everyday use (coffee, energy drinks).

Prescription Drugs (Opioids)

Mechanism: Bind opioid receptors
Short-term: pain relief, euphoria
Long-term: addiction, respiratory depression

Focus on opioids as a case study in safe vs. non-medical use.

Case Study: Peer Pressure

Your friend offers you a drink at a party to help you fit in.
Based on the effects of alcohol, how do you respond?

Divide students into small groups. Have each group plan a healthy response.

Key Takeaways

• Neurons communicate via electro-chemical signals
• Substances disrupt this balance
• Making informed choices protects your brain

Reinforce main points and preview the guided worksheet activity.

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Worksheet

Substance Effect Chart

Instructions: For each substance listed below, describe its mechanism of action in the brain, list at least two short-term effects, and list at least two long-term effects. Use your notes and the slide deck Neurons Under Siege to help.

SubstanceMechanism of ActionShort-Term EffectsLong-Term Effects
Alcohol

















Nicotine

















Marijuana (THC)

















Caffeine

















Prescription Drugs (Opioids)

















Once you complete the chart, discuss in your pairs: Which substance do you think poses the greatest risk to brain health, and why?










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Quiz

Brain Quiz

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Answer Key

Quiz Answers & Explanations

Question 1: Which part of a neuron primarily receives signals from other neurons?

Correct Answer: B. Dendrites

Explanation:

  • Dendrites are branch‐like extensions of the neuron that receive incoming chemical signals (neurotransmitters) from other neurons.
  • The axon carries signals away, the cell body integrates signals, and the synapse is the gap between neurons where transmission occurs.

Question 2: What occurs at the synapse during neurotransmission?

Correct Answer: B. Neurotransmitters cross the gap and bind to receptors

Explanation:

  • When an electrical impulse reaches the axon terminal, neurotransmitters are released into the synaptic cleft.
  • These chemicals cross the gap and bind to specific receptors on the next neuron’s dendrites, continuing the signal.
  • Options A, C, and D describe incorrect or unrelated processes.

Question 3: Alcohol affects neurotransmission by enhancing which inhibitory neurotransmitter?

Correct Answer: C. GABA

Explanation:

  • GABA (gamma‐aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
  • Alcohol increases GABA’s effects, leading to overall dampening of neural activity, which causes slowed reactions and impaired coordination.
  • Glutamate is excitatory (alcohol suppresses it), dopamine and serotonin have different roles.

Question 4: Nicotine produces its primary effects by stimulating which receptors?

Correct Answer: B. Acetylcholine receptors

Explanation:

  • Nicotine mimics acetylcholine and binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain.
  • This triggers the release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters, increasing alertness and reinforcing addictive behaviors.
  • While dopamine receptors are involved in reward, nicotine’s direct target is acetylcholine receptors.

Question 5: Caffeine increases alertness by blocking which type of receptor?

Correct Answer: C. Adenosine

Explanation:

  • Adenosine receptors normally promote relaxation and sleepiness by slowing neural activity.
  • Caffeine is an adenosine antagonist: it binds to adenosine receptors without activating them, preventing adenosine from inducing drowsiness.
  • It does not directly block glutamate, dopamine, or GABA receptors.

Question 6: Explain how a drug can disrupt communication between neurons. Provide one specific example of a substance and describe its mechanism of action and one short-term effect.

Sample Answer:

  • Mechanism of Action: Alcohol enhances the inhibitory action of GABA by binding to GABA_A receptors, increasing chloride ion influx into neurons and reducing their likelihood to fire.
  • Short-Term Effect: Slowed reaction time (e.g., taking longer to respond to visual cues).

Scoring Rubric:

  • 2 points: Provides a clear, accurate mechanism for a specific substance and names one correct short-term effect.
  • 1 point: Describes either the mechanism or the short-term effect correctly, but not both.
  • 0 points: Fails to correctly identify the mechanism and the short-term effect.
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