QUARTER X PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

TOPIC / LESSON NAME

CONTENT STANDARDS
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
LEARNING COMPETENCIES
SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES
TIME ALLOTMENT

The Powers of the Mind

The whole brain theory, or two hemispheres of the brain: artistic (right-brain dominant) and linear
(left-brain dominant)
The learners shall be able to identify ways to improve learning using both the left and right brain.
The learners should be able to discuss that understanding the left and right brain may help in
improving ones learning. (EsP-PD11/12PM-If-6.1)
The learners should realize that personality traits such as artistic (right-brain dominant) and linear
(left-brain dominant) are not limited to just one side of the brain.
60 Minutes

LESSON OUTLINE:
1. Introduction:
Explaining learning objectives for the lesson (5 minutes)
2. Motivation:
Four Corners Activity (20 minutes)
3. Instruction/Delivery:
Discussion about the Left-Right Brain Myth (30 minutes)
4. Evaluation:
Homework (5 minutes)
Understanding the Brain: Towards a New Learning Science, OECD 2002, Chapter 4.6 pp.69-77.
Springer S.P. and Deutsch, G. (1998). Left brain, right brain. New York: W.H. Freeman.

RESOURCES

Wagner T.D., Phan L.K., Liberzon, I., Taylor S.F. (2003) Valence, gender, and lateralization of
functional brain anatomy in emotion: a meta-analysis of findings from neuroimaging. NeuroImage
19, 513-531
Online reading materials:
http://www.oecd.org/edu/ceri/neuromyth6.htm
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~phils4/splitbrain.pdf
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYWBLX7aexI

PROCEDURE
INTRODUCTION (5 MINUTES)
Highlight the following learning objectives to the students, that by the end of the lesson, they should be able to:
understand how our brain works, with respect to our left and right hemispheres
realize that personality traits and activities such as artistic or analytic skills are not restricted to one side of
the brain, and that all humans use both sides of the brain simultaneously
MOTIVATION (20 MINUTES)
Four Corners Activity

MEETING THE LEARNERS NEEDS

Teacher Tip:
Read the materials before the class, this
lesson is tricky because this is mainly to
correct misconceptions about the left-right
brain dominance myth.
Teacher Tip:

QUARTER X PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Prepare the classroom so that theres space for the students to move and stand in the four corners
Instruct students that for each question, the students have to answer by physically going to one of the four
corners that correspond to their chosen response
For each question, use the typical left-right brain personalities as choices. Use the left side of the room to
refer to left-brain responses, and right-side of the room for right-brain responses. Sample questions:
What is your favorite subject: Science and Math, English/Filipino, Art, or Hekasi
How will you describe yourself: Analytical, Organized, Expressive, Inventive
If you were to pick a job, what would it be: Banker, Lawyer, Painter, Teacher
After the activity, ask students to reflect and see where they spent most of the time while they were
responding to the questions, in the left side or right side of the classroom?
Tell them that according to the left-right brain theory, those who spent most of their time in the left side of
the room are left-brained, and vice versa.
Ask them to reflect and think whether they are left-brained or right-brained, and if they agree or disagree
with the theory.
INSTRUCTION/DELIVERY (30 MINUTES)
Left-Right Brain Theory as a Myth
Lead a discussion about key points on why the left-right brain theory is a myth. Highlight the following ideas:
The idea that as humans we use more of our left or right brains are easy to believe in because it helps us
get to know ourselves better, by associating ourselves with simple personality types.
Because of technology, we are able to scan our brains in specific activities. If you see images of our brains
while reading, doing math, listening to music, or painting, you can see that both left and right hemispheres
of our brains are active.
It is dangerous for students to categorize themselves as left-brained or right-brained because you might
limit yourselves when it comes to picking college degrees (Im left-brained so hindi ako bagay sa Math),
learning hobbies (Kahit enjoy ako sumayaw hindi bagay yung brain ko dito), or choosing and applying for
jobs (Only right-brained people are accepted in this position, I cant apply). It is discriminatory, limiting,
and can affect how you would see yourself grow and learn.
Humans are complex, and we cant simply categorize everyone into two groups. We are a mixture of
left-brained and right-brained attributes. We use both hemispheres of our brains, we are
whole-brained beings, and there is no dominant side. Even if some tasks (interpreting symbols, looking
for patterns) are restricted to one side, humans do not have a dominant side.
Only physical movements are compartmentalized, left brain controls the right side of our body when
moving. Thats why when someone gets a stroke in one side, the other side gets paralyzed.
EVALUATION (5 MINUTES)
Provide any/all of the following homework assignments:
Look for famous Filipinos who defy the left-brain and right-brain personality types. (Artists who graduated
with a science degree, lawyers who are excellent in writing poetry, etc). Write a short essay about them,
their life, their educational journey. Interview them if you can.
What is your dream job? Look for the skills and competencies that you need to learn in order to reach that
dream job?

Prepare a good mix of fun and serious

questions for this activity. Add pop culture or
current events references (Who might be
your future celebrity husband/wife?) and pick
out famous people that come from fields that
may be associated with being left-brained
and right-brained.

Teacher tip:
Look for more images of brains while doing
everyday activities or typical activities
mentioned in left-right brain theories (doing
math vs. doing art, talking vs. remembering,
etc)

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