Background: Our brains have two hemispheres. The right hemisphere controls the left side of our bodies, and the left hemisphere controls the right side. Physical activities that use both sides of the body also engage both hemispheres of the brain.
Today in Class: We talked about the two halves of the brain and how they need to work together on most tasks. Then students came up with physical actions that used both sides of the body, both in terms of movement and sensation. We also looked at our smiles and frowns to see if one half of our faces was more expressive than the other.
Self-Reflection: Walk across the room. With each step of your right foot, imagine the left half of your brain lighting up. With each step of your left foot, imagine the right half lighting up. Think of how the brain connects these flashing patterns of activity to create fluid motion and perception of sensation. How many ways can you touch one side of your body to the other side (right elbow to left knee) while standing or doing some type of movement or exercise?
At-Home Support
Discuss the two hemispheres of the brain.
- You talked in SEL class about the two sides of your brain. What did you learn? (The right half controls the left side of the body and the left half controls the right side.)
- What kind of movements did you come up with that used both halves of your brain?
- What are some fun activities or exercises we could do that would touch one side of our bodies to the other side of our bodies?
- Let's look at ourselves in a mirror and smile. Is one side of our smile more expressive?
- Let's try frowning. What does that tell us about our brains?
Student Reflection
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