“This was the best money I have ever spent on a teaching tool.” ~ a teacher in Wisconsin

What's In My Brain Lessons

Students determine what topic I’m thinking of by analyzing two categories of examples.

Science

What’s In My Brain: Inventions vs Discovery
What’s In My Brain: Inventions vs Discovery
We’re looking at inventions vs discoveries.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Paperclip vs Straw
What’s In My Brain: Paperclip vs Straw
We’re looking at magnetic vs. non-magnetic materials.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Lion vs Bear
What’s In My Brain: Lion vs Bear
We’re looking at carnivores vs omnivores.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Guinea Pig vs Potbelly
What’s In My Brain: Guinea Pig vs Potbelly
What do guinea pigs, shooting stars, and seahorses have in common? They’re all misnomers!
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Ball vs Book
What’s In My Brain: Ball vs Book
Let’s look at Kinetic vs Potential Energy!
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain!? Gold vs Wood
What’s In My Brain!? Gold vs Wood
Some of these examples are conductors and some are insulators!
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Ramp vs Bike
What’s In My Brain: Ramp vs Bike
Two columns. One is an example, one isn’t. Can you figure out the hidden rule before the big reveal?
Gr 2-8

Earth Science

What’s In My Brain: Crocodile vs Tree Frog
What’s In My Brain: Crocodile vs Tree Frog
Is it a reptile or an amphibian?
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Narwhal vs Penguin
What’s In My Brain: Narwhal vs Penguin
We’re looking at the arctic vs the antarctic.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain!? Japan vs Jamaica
What’s In My Brain!? Japan vs Jamaica
Is it an island or an archipelago?
Gr 2-8

Ecology

What’s In My Brain: Grass vs Mold
What’s In My Brain: Grass vs Mold
Two columns. One is an example, one isn’t. Can you figure out the hidden rule before the big reveal?
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Coral vs Water Lilies
What’s In My Brain: Coral vs Water Lilies
Let’s look at saltwater vs freshwater organisms.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Tree vs Tree
What’s In My Brain: Tree vs Tree
Let’s look at deciduous vs coniferous trees.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain!? Walnut vs Clouds
What’s In My Brain!? Walnut vs Clouds
Let’s look at living vs non-living things.
Gr 2-8
Concept Attainment: Hornet vs Tiger
Concept Attainment: Hornet vs Tiger
Can your class spot the vertebrates vs invertebrates?
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Owl vs Eagle
What’s In My Brain: Owl vs Eagle
Some of these animals are nocturnal and some are diurnal.
Gr 2-8

Language Arts

What’s In My Brain: Primary Sources
What’s In My Brain: Primary Sources
Two columns. One is an example, one isn’t. Can you figure out the hidden rule before the big reveal?
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8

Grammar

What’s In My Brain: May vs May
What’s In My Brain: May vs May
The word “may” can be used for possibility or permission. It’s a modal auxiliary verb!
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Painting vs Painting
What’s In My Brain: Painting vs Painting
Two columns of sentences. Something is different about them. Can you figure out the rule?
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Cute Baby vs Fast Cheetah
What’s In My Brain: Cute Baby vs Fast Cheetah
Can students spot similes vs metaphors?
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain – Independent vs Dependent
What’s In My Brain – Independent vs Dependent
These clauses are sorted into two groups. What’s the rule? No definitions given — just examples.
Gr 2-8
Simple or Compound Sentences – What’s In My Brain?
Simple or Compound Sentences – What’s In My Brain?
Can your students spot simple sentences vs compound sentences?
Gr 2-8
Run On or Not? – What’s In My Brain
Run On or Not? – What’s In My Brain
Can your students spot the run-on sentences?
Gr 2-8
Complex or Compound – What’s In My Brain
Complex or Compound – What’s In My Brain
Can your class spot the complex sentences vs compound sentences?
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Progressive vs Simple Tenses
What’s In My Brain: Progressive vs Simple Tenses
Will your students notice progressive tense vs simple tense?
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain – The Park vs The Museum
What’s In My Brain – The Park vs The Museum
We’re looking at the past progressive tense and the simple past tense.
Gr 2-8

Social Studies

What’s In My Brain: Spain vs Germany
What’s In My Brain: Spain vs Germany
One column is an example. The other isn’t. Can your students figure out the hidden rule before the reveal?
Gr 2-8

Geography

What’s In My Brain: Austin vs Los Angeles
What’s In My Brain: Austin vs Los Angeles
We’re looking at capital cities.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Italy vs Normandy
What’s In My Brain: Italy vs Normandy
We’re looking at countries vs states (and other smaller regions).
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain!? Japan vs Jamaica
What’s In My Brain!? Japan vs Jamaica
Is it an island or an archipelago?
Gr 2-8

Math

Geometry

What’s In My Brain: H vs Arrow
What’s In My Brain: H vs Arrow
Two columns. One is an example, one isn’t. Can you figure out the hidden rule before the big reveal?
Gr MP, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8
What’s In My Brain: Pentagon vs Pentagon
What’s In My Brain: Pentagon vs Pentagon
We’re looking at regular vs irregular polygons.
Gr 2-8
What’s In My Brain: Trapezoids or Not?
What’s In My Brain: Trapezoids or Not?
Which are trapezoids and which are not?
Gr 2-8

Enrichment

Concept Attainment: Art
Concept Attainment: Art
Can your students tell the difference between cubism and abstract art?
Gr 2-8