The brain has different parts that do different things.

Description

In this activity, the kids will listen to the story of the characters from the game Every Body Has a Brain. They will then learn a bit more about the brain parts that the characters represent and locate the brain parts on a diagram. When they have completed this activity, students will be able to describe some parts of the brain.

Step by Step

Begin the activity by listening to the song ‘Meet the Brain Team’ from the Every Body Has a Brain soundtrack. 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/every-body-has-a-brain/id403630644

Song: Meet the Brain Team

Talk about each of the characters and what role each one plays in Phoebe’s brain.
Note: You may wish to split this activity into several smaller activities, in order to talk about the functions of a different part of the brain on each day. After students have played the game, you can reinforce connections between the characters and brain parts with these definitions.

On this page, you will find printable character coloring pages with descriptions available for download. Students can color the characters and also locate their homes on the brain map.

Tip: Create a brain art area in the classroom where students can publish their work.

Cerebral Cortex

The Cerebral Cortex is the largest part of your brain. It does a lot of brain work, such as planning, decisions, and creativity. It’s responsible for thinking and learning as well as the five senses. It covers much of the rest of the brain like a thinking cap.

Sir Rebral Cortex: Methodical, analytical, clear, authoritative, and probably the most serious character of the bunch, Sir Rebral Cortex represents the thinking part of the brain. Sir Rebral is in charge of all the brain parts, or at least he thinks so.

Nigel Cortex: Nigel is cool and tender and likes to play his guitar. Nigel’s approach to life on Brain Island is very different than his analytical brother, Sir Rebral Cortex. Nigel is enthusiastic, excitable, and always willing to explore something new. He’s bursting with creative ideas, activities, and games.

Phoebe Brainheart: Phoebe is an energetic 7 year old girl who can’t seem to learn enough about the brain. She asks a lot of questions, has a lot of energy, and is maybe a little too adventurous for her own good. She plans to dance in the upcoming school talent show. Because of her love for and knowledge of brains, her friends have given her the nickname Phoebe Brainheart.

Cerebellum

Located in the back of the brain, your Cerebellum is a busy switching station. It receives messages from most of the muscles and joints in your body. It communicates with the other parts of the brain, and then sends messages about movement and balance back to your body. It’s also very active in learned skills, such as riding a bike.

Sara Bellum: Carefree and fun-loving, Sara Bellum is responsible for balance and coordination. She loves to dance and to surf on her brain board.

Brainstem

The most ancient part of the brain, the Brainstem regulates things like heart rate, breathing, swallowing, digestion, blinking, and more.

Brian Stem: Brian Stem represents the most ancient part of the brain. He gets a little impatient when other brain characters seem to take his important work for granted. His part of the brain helps Phoebe’s breathe. keeps her heart running smoothly and takes care of things that Phoebe doesn’t think about, like swallowing and blinking.

Otto Matic: Brian’s sidekick, a robot who helps out Brian Stem in the Brainstem.

Hippocampus

The Hippocampus helps to store and process memories, and then helps to find them when you want to remember something. It can also affect emotions.

Ms. Hippo: Ms. Hippo’s home is deep inside the brain, in the Hippocampus. The Hippocampus is the part of your brain that helps you remember things like what you learn in school or where you put your shoes.

Supply the brain map to students, and have them locate each of the characters on the map.

Further Exploration

Here are other Every Body Has a Brain songs you can use to support this Learning Objective:

• Every Body Has a Brain
• Meet the Brain Team
• Your Brain Helping You
• You’re Always Using Your Brain