Why does practice make perfect? Give your class insight into procedural memory, where we learn to do new things — then continue to improve through repetition. By attempting to draw shapes while looking in a mirror, learners observe their own brains adapting to a new situation in order to perform the drawings. The lesson is suitable for a wide range of student ages and abilities. 

Concepts

the brain, memory, human behavior, the cerebellum

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Have students research various conditions where a person's procedural memory could be affected or be taken away from them entirely

Classroom Considerations

• The activity could take more or less than the prescribed time, depending upon the age of your class and what (if any) extensions you choose to do
• Allow individuals to complete the activity alone if you have enough mirrors

Pros

• The plan includes clear directions, extensions, and printable materials
• Procedural memory, or the absence of it, is very apparent throughout the activity, which keeps things interesting

Cons

• None