Ms.Sue you helped me with the pictures of neurons yesterday. Thank you, I finally found some really good ones for my power point presentation. My assignment is to create a lesson plan for a sixth grade science class explaining what a neuron is and how it functions. I have decided to create a power point that will be my lesson. Then I have created a workesheet for the students to do that corresponds with my lesson.

My problem is thatI am unsure exactly what about neurons to include and how much to include. Here is what I have included so far: How neurons work in the central nervous system, the basic types of neurons(I learned about sensory, interneurons, and motor), the parts of a neuron, and what the neurons do. Right now my power point is only 9 slides. I am worried that this is not enough. Is there anything else I can include in my lesson that I do not have listed above? I'm at a dead end right now. Thank you for the help!

I forgot to mention that I only included the 3 main parts of the neuron, the Soma or cell body, the axon, and the dendrites. I am not sure if it is necessary to include the other parts. Any suggestions?

I'm not a science teacher, but it looks like you could include a lot of the information on this site.

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/cells.html

How long do you have to make your presentation? If you practice giving it at home, this would give you a minimum, since you are not counting any questions or other interruptions.

If you want to, you could also explore the synapse — the gap between connected neurons that gives us our adaptability.

I searched Google under the key words "synapse" to get these possible sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synapse
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/synapse.html
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/S/Synapses.html

Here is another article that might help.

http://www.members.cox.net/dagershaw/lol/MessageAcross.html

I hope this helps a little more. Thanks for asking.

It sounds like you have already included some important aspects of neurons in your lesson plan. However, if you feel like your PowerPoint is too short, there are a few additional topics you can consider including to provide a more comprehensive understanding of neurons.

1. Neuron Structure: You mentioned including the parts of a neuron, which is great. You can expand on this topic by explaining the function and significance of each part, such as the dendrites, cell body, axon, myelin sheath, and synaptic terminals.

2. Neuron Communication: Elaborate on how neurons transmit information. You can explain how electrical signals, known as action potentials, travel through neurons and how they are converted to chemical signals at the synapses to communicate with other neurons.

3. Neuron Networks: Discuss how neurons work together to form complex networks and pathways in the brain. Explain the concept of neural circuits and how different areas of the brain are responsible for specific functions.

4. Nervous System: Provide an overview of the nervous system as a whole. Explain the difference between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Discuss the roles of the brain and spinal cord in processing and relaying information.

5. Neuron Disorders or Diseases: Consider including a slide that briefly mentions common neuron disorders or diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or multiple sclerosis. You can explain how these conditions affect neurons and their function.

Remember to include relevant visuals (such as diagrams or labeled images) to assist with understanding. Additionally, it might be helpful to include interactive elements, like short quizzes or discussion questions, to engage the students during the lesson.

With these additional topics, your PowerPoint should have a more comprehensive coverage of neurons and their functions, making it a more informative and engaging lesson for your sixth-grade science class. Good luck with your presentation!