Signal Spark Slides
Bell Ringer Unit 2, Lesson 1
Start Immediately!
Get Started
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1
Grab your spiral from the class tray.
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Check the paper tray for today's handouts.
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Check the Turn-It-In Bin for graded papers.
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Write the date, Unit 2, Lesson 1, and the title in your spiral.
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Complete the Bell Ringer on the right.
The Slipping Phone
Today's Hook
Scenario: Your phone starts slipping out of your hand. Somehow, you notice it, react, and grab it before it hits the floor.
In your spiral:
How do you think your brain and body communicate fast enough to make that happen?
Make your best guess! No scientific vocabulary is required yet.
Class Timer Write quickly!
10:00
Unit 2 Biological Bases of Behavior
Lesson 1
— Active Psychology Instruction —
How the Brain and
Body Communicate
Your brain and body are constantly sending messages back and forth.
How exactly does that happen in real time?
Step 1: Input The skin senses heat
Step 2: Response The hand pulls away
Goal & Map
Where We Are Headed Today
Today's Target
Target
Learning Target
I can explain how the nervous system carries messages between the brain and body and how those messages affect our behavior.
Question
Essential Question
How exactly do the physical brain and body communicate with each other in real-time?
Our Focus Today: Physical Messages & Behavior
Big Picture
Why Does This Matter in Psychology?
Core Connection
Psychology Connection
Psychologists study why people think, feel, and behave the way they do.
Your brain and nervous system make those thoughts, feelings, reactions, and behaviors possible.
Today we're figuring out how messages travel between your brain and body—and who's doing each job.
SOMETHING HAPPENS MESSAGE TRAVELS BRAIN/BODY RESPONDS
Biological Flow
Event (Heat)
Message (Nerve Path)
Response (Muscle)
Behavior (Pull Away)
Check Your Understanding
If you hear your name and turn your head, what had to happen inside your body before you could respond?
The Network
Your Body Has a Communication System
CNS vs. PNS
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Command Center
The CNS consists of: Brain + Spinal Cord
CNS HEADQUARTERS
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The Cables
The PNS consists of: Nerves outside the spine
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The PNS is the massive web of nerves branching throughout your arms, legs, organs, and skin.
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Analogy: If the CNS is military headquarters, the PNS is the network of field phone wires carrying messages back and forth.
PNS FIELD LINES
Check Your Understanding
Which system includes the brain and spinal cord — CNS or PNS? Explain why it's called the "command center."
The Messengers
But How Does the Message Actually Travel?
Meet Neurons
Essential Vocabulary
NEURON = A Specialized Nerve Cell
A single specialized cell that carries messages through the nervous system.
Think of neurons as tiny individual biological messengers. They are the microscopic building blocks of your entire communication system.
Neurons Carry Signals in Both Directions!
📥 Incoming Signal
HOT! → Neurons carry sensory information up toward your CNS.
📤 Outgoing Command
MOVE HAND! → Neurons carry physical instructions down to your muscles.
No Anatomy Required!
Neurons allow the brain and body to communicate instantly!
GO! GO!
Check Your Understanding
What is the basic job of a neuron? How does it make brain-body communication possible?
The Gap
One Problem: Neurons Don't Actually Touch
Cross the Gap
How do messages move between neurons?
A message can travel easily through a single neuron, but eventually it hits the end of that cell. The next neuron is separated by a tiny, microscopic space called a synapse.
🔗 Synapse = The tiny gap between individual nerve cells.
The Solution
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers released by neurons that help signals move from one neuron to another.
Because neurotransmitters bridge the physical gaps, they make brain communication possible. They directly influence your thoughts, feelings, movements, and behavior.
The 4-Step Crossing
- 1 Message reaches end of neuron.
- 2 Neurotransmitters are released.
- 3 They cross the synapse gap.
- 4 The next neuron receives message.
Neuron A Neuron B SYNAPSE (GAP)
Check Your Understanding
What crosses the synapse to help the message reach another neuron? Why is this chemical connection so important?
Class Mission
BODY GROUP CHAT: SYSTEM FAILURE!
Active Simulation
Mission Directions
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1
Everyone writes on their own handout.
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Discuss each case with your group (3–4 students).
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Your group must agree on ONE answer.
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Be ready to explain WHY to the class.
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Complete the Body Group Chat and Final Boss sections.
💡 Stuck? Students may use Slides 4–7 for reference help!
Sim Timer
20:00
VOICE LEVEL
LEVEL 1
Work closely in your team to debug the failed systems!
⚠️ SYSTEM FAILURE SIMULATION ACTIVE
Independent practice & exit
Vocab Choice + Exit Check
Today's Output
Before You Leave — Complete Both
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✓
PART 1: 4 vocab words + definitions in your spiral
Show your completed spiral to Ms. Cummings for a vocab check.
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✓
PART 2: Body Group Chat handout complete
Turn your handout into the designated folder/bin.
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✓
Return your spiral
Put it away nicely in the class tray.
Timer
10:00
Choose 4 Words!
Copy words & define using slide 10
- 1 Central Nervous System (CNS)
- 2 Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- 3 Neuron
- 4 Neurotransmitter
- 5 Synapse
- 6 Spinal Cord
- 7 Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
- 8 Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Use Slide 10 definitions!
Write definitions cleanly so you can use them as a cheat sheet later!
Reference Glossary
GLOSSARY / VOCABULARY REFERENCE
UNIT 2, LESSON 1 — ALL 8 TERMS
1. Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord; the body's main processing and control center.
2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
3. Neuron
A nerve cell that carries messages through the nervous system.
4. Neurotransmitter
A chemical messenger released by neurons that helps signals move from one neuron to another.
5. Synapse
The tiny gap between individual nerve cells.
6. Spinal Cord
The major pathway that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
7. Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
The part of the PNS that controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles.
8. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
The part of the PNS that automatically controls internal body functions such as heartbeat, digestion, and sweating.
Use these definitions to complete your 4 chosen terms in your spiral.
Professor Brain's Dictionary
