The Brain Reflex System And How It Works

Bobbitt, Ruby                              Chalmers Elementary School
                                           1-312-542-3720
                      

Objective

The students will learn the basic facts about the reflex systems of the brain. 

Materials needed

Rope
Penlight or flash light
Rubber hammer or special hit with hand.
Bottles (for balance)
Large paper bags

Recommended Procedure

Teacher will explain and demonstrate the procedure of all materials. 

The brain is the major commander of body movements. The motor area of the brain 
controls the hundreds of different muscles, so that we can run, walk, talk, write, 
jump etc. 

The brain has many different parts, but today we will concentrate on a part of the 
motor area. 

Motor Area Parts

Motor pathways relay messages from the cortex, midbrain, and cerebellum which 
commands activity in muscles and glands. The midbrain is the most highly developed 
part of the brain. 

Motor Apparatus in cells that acts directly on muscles and glands, putting them to 
work. These cells carry the brain's commands to the rest of the body. 

Brain divisions-Cerebrum -Largest part of the brain. Cerebral Cortex-The twisted, 
wrinkled, and knotted surface of the cerebrum Cerebellum-Functions in the control of 
all kinds of movement. It "programs" the coordination of the many individual 
movements that go to make up actions. 

Teacher can explain to the students that there are many ways to enhance their 
learning abilities, i.e., playing games. Here are some games that the instructor 
might use. 

Games
Eyetoss
Knee Reflex
Mirror-Bag Game
Balance


The procedure of the games

Eyetoss-Hold a thin sheet of plastic with both hands in front of the eyes, have 
someone toss a ball at the persons' eyes. Ask the student to tell the reaction of 
his/her eyes. 

Knee Reflex- The student will sit, and another student will hit the sitting students 
knee with the side of the hand, or a piece of rubber hose, ask the student to explain 
what happened. 

Mirror Game-First darken the room, then ask the student to close his/her eyes for a 
few seconds, then open the eyes with a flashlight shining directly in the eyes. Ask 
the student to explain the reflex action of the pupil. 

Balance- Use a rope to draw an outline of a human body on the classroom floor, then 
give each student a sheet of paper which has the names of the body movement of 
muscles i.e., brains, spinal cord, nerve spinal cord. Have each student throw and hit 
a student on the leg, or arm, and the students to move according to the message sent 
back from the brain. 

This will truly be a very good learning process.