Lesson 2 - Nerve Impulse Transmission
Objective 1: Describe the function of neurons.
Objective 2: Describe how a nerve impulse is transmitted. In today’s lesson, students will learn about sensory and motor neurons. They will use a role-playing activity to learn the steps necessary in movement of an impulse along a neuron, and how an impulse travels from one neuron to the next. They will simulate resting potential and action potential of a neuron. After they do the role playing activity, students will work with partners to test one another for their cranial nerve function. Objective 1: Students will use models to explain the functions of neurons in the nervous system. Objective 2: Students will test the cranial nerves using standard nerve testing techniques, used by neurologists , and modified for the classroom. Objective 3: Students will learn the functions of the cranial nerves. 5 minutes: At the door Hand in homework assignment Complete "quick quiz" (labeling parts of the neuron) project with documents camera. 10 minutes: Check for understanding.
20 minutes: Class role play: Nervous System and Action Potentials Students need to learn the sequence of events that lead to the transmission of an impulse along a nerve pathway. These steps are complex and often hard to remember by participating in the neuron role-play activity, students will understand more fully how neurons work together to provide responses. Twenty minutes should be an adequate amount of time to go through the simulation 2-3 times. I will have the students change roles between each round. 45 minutes: Cranial Nerve Testing During this part of the lesson, students move from station to station and work with partners to test their cranial nerves. I set up two sets of stations which students do the nerve testing then move through all the stations until they have completed the nerve testing. These are tests that would be done by a neurologist if a person has had any type of head trauma, or to test for normal nerve function after a stroke, seizure, or other such event. 10 minutes: lab processing, hand in lab write-up |
Students will take a quick quiz and review the parts of the neuron, that we learned last class.
This is a great simulation. It takes advanced planning to make all the role cards, and to make a tape neuron on the floor. I have done this activity without putting the tape outline on the floor. This time I plan to make an outline of a neuron on a tarp so that I can use it from year to year, and the set-up is easier.
This part of the lesson will require some advanced planning. The day before the activity, or on the morning of the activity, the stations need to be set up, this will take about 20-30 minutes.
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