Alcohol and Your Cerebral Cortex An exploration of how alcohol affects the developing brain for: Grades 4-7

How Alcohol Affects the Cerebral Cortex How many lobes make up the cerebral cortex? 1 Name two things the cerebral cortex allows you to do. 2 When the cortex is impaired by alcohol, what becomes difficult to do? 3 4 Why is it illegal to drive drunk? 5 Summarize the overall message of the video.

Discussion Students: get into groups to discuss your answers to the comprehension questions. Discussion: How does alcohol affect your reflexes and decision making? What did the three different teams represent?

Activity: Decision Making On an index card, write down the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make. Volunteers: share what you’ve written, and discuss what made this decision especially hard.

Activity: Scenario Worksheet You are at a friend’s house on Saturday night and his older sister has friends over. They begin drinking alcohol, and offer you and your friend each a beer. Your friend takes the beer and begins to sip. How do you decide what to do? Fill out the worksheet and share your answers with a group or partner.

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