Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Students will learn major brain structures and their functions, build a 3D clay model to reinforce understanding, and discuss real-life applications.

Foundational knowledge of neurobiology helps students recognize how brain anatomy underlies behavior, decision-making, and emotional responses, fostering self-awareness.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Handouts

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Objectives

5 minutes

Step 2

Slide Presentation

7 minutes

Step 3

Brain Model Activity

10 minutes

Step 4

Guided Discussion

6 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Exit Ticket

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 1: Exploring Brain Regions

Welcome students to the unit and set expectations. Briefly explain that today’s focus is on understanding the structure of the brain and why each part matters.

Frontal Lobe

Define the frontal lobe and emphasize its role in higher-order thinking. Show an image on this slide. Prompt: “Can you think of a time you used planning or self-control today?”

Amygdala

Explain how the amygdala processes emotions, especially fear and stress. Ask students: “How might the amygdala react if you hear a loud noise unexpectedly?”

Hippocampus

Describe the hippocampus’s role in forming new memories. Invite students to share a recent memory and link it to hippocampal function.

Putting It All Together

Display a brain diagram with the frontal lobe, amygdala, and hippocampus highlighted. Use this as a reference for the upcoming clay-model activity.

Discussion & Next Steps

Transition to the hands-on activity. Pose discussion prompts to reinforce learning before moving on.

Worksheet

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Lesson Plan

Students will explore how the prefrontal cortex supports decision-making and impulse control, practice analyzing real-life scenarios, and role-play strategies to improve self-regulation.

Understanding adolescent decision-making processes and impulse control empowers students to recognize biases, evaluate consequences, and adopt healthier choices in academic and social contexts.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Slides, Worksheets, and Cards

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Recap

5 minutes

Step 2

Slide Presentation

8 minutes

Step 3

Case Study Analysis

7 minutes

Step 4

Role-Play Activity

7 minutes

Step 5

Discussion & Reflection

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 2: Decision-Making & Impulse Control

Introduce the session’s focus and connect to previous learning. Set expectations for exploring decision-making and impulse control.

Prefrontal Cortex

Explain the anatomy and key functions of the prefrontal cortex. Emphasize its development during adolescence.

Neurotransmitters & Reward

Discuss dopamine and other neurotransmitters. Highlight how they influence reward-seeking behavior.

Weighing Risks & Rewards

Show how the brain weighs pros and cons. Introduce a simple risk–reward chart to illustrate the process.

Real-World Examples

Provide real-life examples relevant to students: peer pressure, social media, and procrastination.

Next Steps & Reflection

Transition to case studies and role-play. Prompt students to think about which strategies they’ll use.

Worksheet

Lesson Plan

Session 3 Lesson Plan

Students will understand the amygdala’s role in emotion processing, identify their own emotional triggers through a mapping activity, and discuss coping strategies to regulate stress.

Helping students recognize and manage emotional responses fosters resilience, improves mental health, and supports better decision-making under pressure.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Slides, Worksheets, and Cards

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Recap

5 minutes

Step 2

Slide Presentation

7 minutes

Step 3

Emotion Mapping Activity

10 minutes

Step 4

Group Discussion

5 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Reflection

3 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 3: Emotions & Stress Response

Welcome students back and connect today’s focus to previous lessons. Highlight that we’re shifting to how the amygdala drives emotional responses.

Amygdala & Emotion Detection

Explain the amygdala’s location and core functions. Use an anatomical image and link back to how it influences fear and stress.

Stress Response: Fight, Flight, Freeze

Define the stress response and its three modes. Encourage students to share which response they’ve experienced.

Common Emotional Triggers

Introduce common emotional triggers in teen life. Ask students to note any that resonate before the mapping activity.

Real-World Examples

Show examples of how stress or emotion can impact behavior. Frame this as a lead-in to mapping their own experiences.

Next Steps & Reflection

Prepare students for the upcoming Emotion Mapping Activity and group discussion.

Worksheet

Lesson Plan

Session 4 Lesson Plan

Students will design and present a personalized Brain Growth Plan that integrates neurobiology, decision-making strategies, and emotion-regulation techniques to support their academic and personal goals.

Creating a concrete, self-guided plan empowers students to apply what they’ve learned about their developing brains, build self-awareness, and commit to growth strategies that improve well-being and decision-making.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Templates and Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Recap

5 minutes

Step 2

Project Overview

5 minutes

Step 3

Plan Development

10 minutes

Step 4

Peer Feedback

5 minutes

Step 5

Presentations & Reflection

3 minutes