Each week we will learn about a different animal. We will look at the structures in that animals brains, and learn some cool facts about how that animal's brain works. Students will participate in discussion questions about each animal brain. Students will get an assignment each class for them to complete. Students will comment on each others' assignments and learn to give constructive feedback. As a final project students will each choose an animal that we have learned about in class. They will record a short video of themselves teaching the other students about the animal and upload it to the classroom.

Week 1 Dog brains: Learn how your best friend thinks! We will learn how wild wolves became friendly and loyal dogs by living with humans, a process called domestication.

Week 2 Parrot/ parakeet brains: Look at the structure of a bird brain, and explore what it is that makes parrots so smart.

Week 3 Guinea pig brains: Learn about the parts of the brain needed for animals that are highly social like guinea pigs. We will talk about how these social areas of the brain can make animals more intelligent.

Week 4 Goldfish brains: Discuss the myth of a three second memory on a classroom thread. While discussing goldfish memories we will learn how even fish can learn and remember tricks.

Week 5 Cat brains: Debate in the classroom whether you think cats or dogs are smarter and why. We will get to see images of cat brains to understand what is going on under all of the kitty fluff. 

Week 6 Bearded Dragons: Learn how a reptile's brain differs from a mammals. Learn how bearded dragons are helping humans understand sleep.

Week 7 Rats: Learn why rats are one of the animals that scientists have spent their time studying. Discuss white and grey matter by learning about the rat with "no" brain.

Week 8 Snakes: Learn about how a snake brain processes senses by "tasting" the world around it.