How the Brain Works

 

As a follow up to the story, Flowers for Algernon, we will be investigating interesting facts about the brain and how it functions.  Brain disorders are not new and have long been a sensitive subject especially where treatment is concerned.  In the story, Charlie is presented with the opportunity to have an operation that could make him smart, but may not last very long.  This leads us to explore how the brain works.

 

Let’s look at basic function first at:

http://www.lewisvillemedical.com/VBody.asp  From The Virtual Body section select “English,” then click on “The Human Brain,” and then “Narrated Neurons” to listen to an introduction.

 

For more information on the brain, go to:

http://www.brainpop.com/health/nervoussystem/brain/

Then take the brain quiz and fill in the crossword puzzle.

 

Next let’s see how the brain interprets information and how it can be mislead:

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/flash/nill.html

After the first series of illusions select (more illusions) to go to Gallery of Visual Illusions (2).

 

Then try completing the Brain jigsaw puzzle at:

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/jigp3.html

After you complete the first puzzle, click on the “Shapes” button and select a different shaped puzzle of the brain, like 41_piece_ tetris and solve it.

 

Now let’s take a look at a website about Brain Facts that make you go Hmmmm: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/ffacts.html

Additional brain facts: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/facts.html#brain

 

Follow this up with the Brain Origami page.  You will need to cut this out before you fold it.  Don’t lose the instructions