Jacqueline Barber, Katherine Barrett, Kevin Beals, Lincoln Bergman, Marian C. Diamond
Description
In this unit, packed with a rich variety of learning modes, students gain insight into the process of their own learning and how learning helps us to
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survive and thrive. Students challenge and coach each other to learn tactile mazes, analyze what helps and hinders learning, and discuss learning differences. They role-play lost wolf pups searching by scent for their packs (and later wolves encountering strange food) focusing on how our brains rely on sensory information for learning. Several activities provide insight into how the community of humans learns what is safe for survival. Students learn about the human nervous system and form research teams working on two real life mysteries in which clues unfold about nerve damaging chemicals. This leads to understanding of how government regulation of food, drugs, and cosmetics became necessary. Students are introduced to the tragic story of Genie, a much studied child raised in isolated and abusive conditions. Students then simulate the brain research of Dr. Marian Diamond on the effects of enriched and impoverished environments on the brain growth in rats. Working from detailed drawings, students assess the dendritic growth of neurons in the rat brain and the implications of this research for humans. Students debate the ethics of human, animal, and in vitro experimentation, and take part in a play to summarize their learning. For more information contact Great Explorations in Math and Science at the Lawrence Hall of Science.Here are comments about this title from an 8th grade science teacher: I am writing to commend you on an excellent unit. For the past two weeks I have implemented Learning About Learning in my classroom. Ithas proven to be a great way to start of the school year. Normally I modify materials extensively before I use them with students. However, the materials in this guide were perfect the way they were. The comments regarding preparation and presentation were extremely helpful. Thank you for producing such a wonderful product.-Neil Krasnoff, 8th Grade Science Teacher, San Antonio Texas
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