Module 1 • Student Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Period:
Directions: Refer to "The Brain's Fire Alarm" reading article to answer Questions 1–3. Circle the letter of the best answer for each question.
1. Why does an "amygdala hijack" occur before a person has time to logically assess an event?
A. The prefrontal cortex completely stops functioning permanently during loud noises.
B. The amygdala initiates an emergency survival flood in milliseconds, outpacing conscious logical processing.
C. Sixth graders lack an amygdala, meaning emotional reactions cannot be managed or modulated.
D. Adrenaline blocks blood flow entirely from reaching the brain during school hours.
2. According to the article, how does the amygdala interpret social conflicts like embarrassment or exclusion?
A. It treats social and emotional distress with the same urgency as a physical survival emergency.
B. It ignores social conflicts because survival structures only react to dangerous predatory animals.
C. It automatically slows breathing and heart rate whenever peer disagreements happen.
D. It prompts individuals to immediately consult a trusted adult before showing any bodily reaction.
3. What developmental fact about the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is crucial for middle school students to understand?
A. The PFC matures completely by age 11, so emotional outbursts are always fully intentional.
B. The PFC controls automatic reflexes like blinking, while the amygdala solves algebra equations.
C. The PFC is undergoing active development through the mid-20s, making intentional regulation skills essential.
D. The PFC only operates during sleep cycles and remains dormant during the school day.
Emotional Blueprint • Module 1 Worksheet Page 1 of 2 • Continue to Page 2 for Scenarios
Module 1 • Worksheet (Continued)
Student Name:
Scenario A The Cafeteria Spilled Tray
"Marcus is carrying his lunch tray when another student bumps his arm. Marcus’s carton spills across his brand-new shoes, and a nearby table laughs. Instantly, Marcus feels his face burn hot, his fists clench tight, and he shouts an aggressive insult before he even realizes what he is doing."
4. Which amygdala survival mode took control of Marcus, and what bodily cue alerted him first?
A. Freeze response; his bodily cues were relaxation in his arms and smiling.
B. Flight response; his primary bodily cue was walking silently out to the courtyard.
C. Fight response; his primary bodily cues were facial flushing and clenched fists.
D. Executive control; his bodily cue was calm, deep abdominal breathing.
Scenario B The Math Pop Quiz
"Maya opens an unannounced 20-point math check. When she looks at problem one, her stomach drops, her fingers go cold, and her mind goes entirely blank. Even though she studied yesterday, she feels paralyzed and cannot write a single calculation."
5. What neurological reaction is Maya demonstrating during the quiz?
A. Freeze response; stress hormones temporarily obstructed working memory access in her prefrontal cortex.
B. Fight response; she aggressively challenged the validity of the grading rubric.
C. Deliberate avoidance; she intentionally chose not to answer to save time.
D. Sensory grounding; her mind slowed down to improve mathematical accuracy.
Describe one physical warning signal your body gives you when your emotions start to escalate (e.g., jaw clenching, stomach flip, heat in your face). How can noticing that signal give your prefrontal cortex time to step in?
Emotional Blueprint • Module 1 Worksheet Page 2 of 2 • Assessment & Reflection