Teaching PARTS of the Brain
Teaching the Parts of the Brain
Teaching a class about neuroscience? Then start with a lesson on the parts of the brain! This lesson plan
goes over teaching basic brain anatomy. Includes different activities that can be done in the classroom.
When teaching the different parts of the body, you cannot forget the brain — the control center of all bodily
functions. Explain to the students that everything their bodies do — both voluntary and involuntary — is
orchestrated by the brain. This first lesson plan on the brain will cover the different parts of the brain: the
cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem.
Interactive Visual Aids
Students can benefit greatly from the use of visual aids when learning about the brain. One option is an
interactive model, in which the different brain lobes are colored coded and the student can dissemble and
see the internal brain structures (another anatomy lesson). Another option is using a preserved brain. Check
with your school's lab department if there are any available. Many times, they will have a sheep's or pig's
brain, so use a plastic model of a human brain to explain the difference in size. When holding a preserved
brain, use gloves to protect your hands. If you cannot obtain a 3-D model, use an image of the brain where
the lobes are identified with different colors.
Explaining the Cerebrum
The longest part of the lesson will be explaining the cerebrum, which is the largest part of the brain. Using
an image of the brain that is from a superior view (top of the brain), show the students that the brain is
divided into two sections — a left hemisphere and right hemisphere. Note that each hemisphere has four
lobes: frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe and occipital lobe. Use a lateral image (external side) of the
brain to show where each lobe is located. The difference between the left and right hemispheres, and the
function of each lobe will be different lessons.
When teaching the location of the brain lobes, it is important to go over the proper terminology. Write these
terms on the blackboard or pass out a handout:
 Superior: towards the head (top)
 Inferior: away from the head (bottom)
 Anterior or Ventral: the front part
 Posterior or Dorsal: the back part
 Medial: towards the middle
 Lateral: towards the side
Once the anatomical terminology has been discussed, explain where each lobe is in the brain:
 Frontal lobe: anterior most lobe
 Parietal lobe: posterior to the frontal lobe
 Temporal lobe: posterior to the frontal lobe, inferior to the parietal lobe
 Occipital lobe: posterior most lobe
Explaining the Cerebellum
Next part of the anatomy lesson is explaining the location of the cerebellum. Point out to students that this
is the second largest part of the brain. Using the model or image, show the students how the cerebellum is
below the occipital lobe, and how it looks different from the cerebrum in its outer layer.
Explaining the Brain Stem
The last part of the basic brain anatomy lesson is the brain stem. Show students how the brain stem
connects the brain to the spinal cord. Note to them that while the brain stem is much smaller than the rest of
the brain, it is a very important part of the brain.
Exercises
Once the basic brain anatomy has been covered, quiz students to see if they understand the material.
Prepare two brain images: one that has outlines for the three major parts of the brain, and a second that has
the four lobes outlined. Check to see if they can identify the different parts. Next, write on the blackboard
pairs of anatomical parts of the brain, such as:
Frontal lobe → Parietal lobe
Occipital lobe → Temporal lobe
Ask the students to define their spatial relationship, using the newly learned anatomical terminology. Check
to see if they comprehend and can apply it.
Students can also refer to the accompanying study guide for further review.
Teaching the Parts of the Brain
Teaching a class about neuroscience? Then start with a lesson on the parts of the brain! This lesson plan
goes over teaching basic brain anatomy. Includes different activities that can be done in the classroom.
When teaching the different parts of the body, you cannot forget the brain — the control center of all bodily
functions. Explain to the students that everything their bodies do — both voluntary and involuntary — is
orchestrated by the brain. This first lesson plan on the brain will cover the different parts of the brain: the
cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem.
Interactive Visual Aids
Students can benefit greatly from the use of visual aids when learning about the brain. One option is an
interactive model, in which the different brain lobes are colored coded and the student can dissemble and
see the internal brain structures (another anatomy lesson). Another option is using a preserved brain. Check
with your school's lab department if there are any available. Many times, they will have a sheep's or pig's
brain, so use a plastic model of a human brain to explain the difference in size. When holding a preserved
brain, use gloves to protect your hands. If you cannot obtain a 3-D model, use an image of the brain where
the lobes are identified with different colors.
Explaining the Cerebrum
The longest part of the lesson will be explaining the cerebrum, which is the largest part of the brain. Using
an image of the brain that is from a superior view (top of the brain), show the students that the brain is
divided into two sections — a left hemisphere and right hemisphere. Note that each hemisphere has four
lobes: frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe and occipital lobe. Use a lateral image (external side) of the
brain to show where each lobe is located. The difference between the left and right hemispheres, and the
function of each lobe will be different lessons.
When teaching the location of the brain lobes, it is important to go over the proper terminology. Write these
terms on the blackboard or pass out a handout:
 Superior: towards the head (top)
 Inferior: away from the head (bottom)
 Anterior or Ventral: the front part
 Posterior or Dorsal: the back part
 Medial: towards the middle
 Lateral: towards the side
Once the anatomical terminology has been discussed, explain where each lobe is in the brain:
 Frontal lobe: anterior most lobe
 Parietal lobe: posterior to the frontal lobe
 Temporal lobe: posterior to the frontal lobe, inferior to the parietal lobe
 Occipital lobe: posterior most lobe
Explaining the Cerebellum
Next part of the anatomy lesson is explaining the location of the cerebellum. Point out to students that this
is the second largest part of the brain. Using the model or image, show the students how the cerebellum is
below the occipital lobe, and how it looks different from the cerebrum in its outer layer.
Explaining the Brain Stem
The last part of the basic brain anatomy lesson is the brain stem. Show students how the brain stem
connects the brain to the spinal cord. Note to them that while the brain stem is much smaller than the rest of
the brain, it is a very important part of the brain.
Exercises
Once the basic brain anatomy has been covered, quiz students to see if they understand the material.
Prepare two brain images: one that has outlines for the three major parts of the brain, and a second that has
the four lobes outlined. Check to see if they can identify the different parts. Next, write on the blackboard
pairs of anatomical parts of the brain, such as:
Frontal lobe → Parietal lobe
Occipital lobe → Temporal lobe
Ask the students to define their spatial relationship, using the newly learned anatomical terminology. Check
to see if they comprehend and can apply it.
Students can also refer to the accompanying study guide for further review.