Read the book,
Look Inside Your Brain
by Heather Alexander and Nicoletta Costa, (1998).
Following the book, ask the students to name objects that are the same size, shape, and weight as the human brain. Create a chart displaying the students' answers.
Show a model brain. Encourage the students to touch the model brain, feeling the folds, etc. Solicit student opinions regarding the model…true to size, shape, and weight? Continue to make connections to the chart displaying the brain-like objects.
Display a 'potato flake' brain (created before the lesson). Allow the students to touch the 'potato flake' brain and compare it to the brain model. Ask the students which model best depicts the true brain according to their brain-like objects.
Offer to create a 'potato flake' brain in class (one per student/one per table/one per cooperative group). Display the recipe and organize the ingredients as necessary. When complete, use the 'potato flake' brain in an integrated science center. Provide some of the suggested brain-like objects for comparison. Offer a scale for weight comparison, a ruler for size comparison and any other pertinent tools or supplies.
Display student-created comparison charts. Review the work completed at the center by graphing the comparisons and re-asking the question: What objects are the same size, shape and weight as the human brain?
"Potato Flake" Brain
(Recipe from the Pacific Science Center)
Ingredients:
-
1.5 cups (360 ml) instant potato flakes
-
2.5 cups (600 ml) hot water
-
2 cups (480 ml) clean sand
-
1 gallon-size zipper plastic bag
Directions:
Combine all the ingredients in the zipper plastic bag and mix thoroughly. It should weigh about 3 lbs (1.35 kg) and have the consistency of a real brain. Display a model brain for accuracy.