Hidden Meaning

Hidden Meanings in Popular Logos

Just discovered a blog site called "Wallet Pop" while looking for some visual illusions in popular culture. That was when I ran across this beauty: Hidden Meanings in Popular Logos on walletpop.com

This site also explains why the logos are special. I claim no ownership of this idea, but am happy to share their collection of images that I know your kids will find fascinating. In the Fed Ex logo, there is an arrow in the ground of the Ex figure.

After looking throught the website, which one is your favorite? Why? Can you think of any others that you see in everyday life?

Lucky You...

Those of you that look, will find possible essay questions below to prepare you for the test tomorrow. You will only need to be able to answer TWO. The test will also have a few multiple choice answers that should be easy if you have kept up with the notes...

-After the railroad spike entered his brain and exited through his cheek, Phineas Gage, who had been emotionally stable and well organized, became disorganized, angered easily and could not plan ahead. Describe the parts of the brain that you think were affected and support your hypothesis.

-In a television commercial, a man loses his sight over the course of a few weeks. Which parts of the brain would you suspect might be affected? Give reasons to support your answer. What medical procedures would you advise in order to find out more?

-Pick an area of the brain, describe what would happen to you physically if that part of the brain was damaged.

Headbanger Nation

In the January 31, 2011 issue of Time Magazine, there was an article entitled, "Headbanger Nation: Concussions are clobbering U.S. kids. Here's why." The article has a nice overview of what a concussion is examining brain parts (that we all enjoy studying in class) along with a great graphic below. Check out the article--it's a worthy read for both us and our students.

Concussions are a very serious problem that are taking a big role in the game of football from the young children playing all the way to the pros. There have been new rules, new helmets, and safety classes taught but the number of concussions seems to still rise. You will NEED to read the article provided in the link to do well on this. Make a post detailing what you have learned from the article, remember 4 sentences, and post your NAME AFTER you have typed your resonse...

If I Only Had a Brain...

Unlike Scarecrow, we all have a brain. How do we use it?
Lesson 1 Techniques to learn about the brain and neural function
Lesson 2 The Neuron--unit of Structure and Function of the Nervous System
Lesson 3 Organization of the Nervous System
Lesson 4 Localization of Function of the Human Brain
Lesson 5 Lateralization of Function of the Human Brain
Lesson 6 The Endocrine System
Lesson 7 Behavioral Genetics

There is no gene for the human spirit...

What is genetic engineering, after all, but preemptive plastic surgery? Make the child perfect in the test tube, and save money later. Throw in perfect health, a high IQ and a long life-span, and you have the brave new world of "Gattaca," in which the bioformed have inherited the earth, and babies who are born naturally get to be menial laborers.

This is one of the smartest and most provocative of science fiction films, a thriller with ideas. Its hero is a man who challenges the system. Vincent (Ethan Hawke) was born in the old-fashioned way, and his genetic tests show he has bad eyesight, heart problems and a life expectancy of about 30 years. He is an "In-Valid," and works as a cleaner in a space center.

Everybody will live longer, look better and be healthier in the Gattacan world. But will it be as much fun? Will parents order children who are rebellious, ungainly, eccentric, creative, or a lot smarter than their parents are? There's a concert pianist in "Gattaca" who has 12 fingers. Don't you sometimes have the feeling you were born just in time?

Piaget, Kohlberg, and Erikson...Oh My!

Our Plan of Attack on the Leading Psychologist of Development
Lessons
Day 1 Major Issues, Methods, Prenatal Development, Infancy
Day 2 Childhood and Adolescence
Day 3 Adult and Later Years
Day 4 Piaget and Kohlberg
Day 5 Erikson's Psychosocial Theory of Development