Personal

Development
Understanding the Powers of
the Mind
 This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help
you know and improve brain functions. The scope of this module permits it to be
used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the
diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the
standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be
changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. Describe the brain.
2. Identify the sections of the brain and its functions
3. Understand the left and right brain functions may help in improving one’s
learning.

The learners may answer the questions at home, discuss answers during the
videoconferencing with teachers and/or during chat sessions.

What I Know

Read and analyze each statement below and carefully choose the letter that best
describe the statement. Write your answers on the separate worksheet or paper.
1. What is one element that separated one from all others of the same
demographics?
a. Brain
b. Thinking
c. Reasoning
d. Intelligence

1
2. What is the human body’s command center? Divided into 3 parts, the front,
mid, and hind.
a. Brain
b. Emotions
c. Well-being
d. Hemisphere
3. What controls the left side of the body; creative, intuitive, and spatial?
a. Brain stem
b. Limbic system
c. Left hemisphere
d. Right hemisphere
4. What controls the right side of the body; analytical, language, mathematics?
a. Brain stem
b. Limbic system
c. Left hemisphere
d. Right hemisphere
5. What is considered the adept at task that involve logic, language, and
analytical thinking?
a. Hindbrain
b. Forebrain
c. Left brain
d. Right brain
6. Based on the dominance theory, what side of the brain is best at expressive
and creative tasks.
a. Hindbrain
b. Forebrain
c. Left brain
d. Right brain
7. What can aid well in an individual as a learner whether in his/her current
studies or future endeavors?
a. Intelligence
b. Study habits
c. Left hemisphere
d. Right hemisphere
8. Which function of the brain has abilities and characteristics measured
through test?
a. Mind
b. Brain
c. Study habits
d. Left hemisphere

9. What is the basic functional units of the nervous system and its parts are
the key to brain function?
a. Cell
b. Lobe
c. Nerve
d. Neurons
10. The brain experiences most of its growth and develops most of its potential
for learning during what first years of life?
a. Three
b. Four
c. Five
d. None of the above
11. It is an amazing three-pound organ that controls all functions of the body,
interprets, information from the outside world, and embodies the essence of the
mind and soul.
a. Brain
b. cerebrum
c. Brain Stem
d. cerebellum
12. Which part of the brain helps keep your balance, so you don’t fall flat on your face?
a. Cerebellum
b. Medulla oblongata
c. Pituitary gland
d. Spinal cord
13. Which part of the brain helps your judgment, plan, and solve problem?
a. frontal lobe
b. parietal lobe
c. temporal lobe
d. occipital lobe
14. Which part of the brain interprets signals from vision, hearing, motor, sensory and
memory?
a. frontal lobe
b. parietal lobe
c. temporal lobe
d. occipital lobe
15. Which part of the brain interprets vision (color, light, movement)?
a. frontal lobe
b. parietal lobe
c. temporal lobe
d. occipital lobe
 Lesson
The Powers of the Mind
6
In the previous lesson you learned that stress and stressors are physiological
and psychological response which is termed as “adaption syndrome”. It means that
you cannot control the stressors around you. Stress is a stimulus that disturbs your
physical and mental health.

Now, this is module you will learn the powers of the mind. It was said that
mind power is one of the strongest and most useful powers you possess. This power
consists of your thoughts. The thoughts that pass through your mind are responsible
for everything that happens in your life. Your predominant thoughts influence your
behavior and attitude and control your actions and reactions. As your thoughts are,
so is your life.

What’s In

Connect the Dots

Direction: You have seen this kind of puzzle before. Connect the dots in order to
draw the picture. Start at "Start". What do you get?
 What’s New

“What’s in your Brain?”

During the current pandemic, families have been thrust into extraordinary
circumstances that may be life-changing, with short- and long-term effects on
adolescents well-being. Helping them learn to be smart about feelings can help
alleviate their emotional stress, improve concentration, boost their immune system,
and enhance brain development. Inside the brain below, list the things you think
about the most during this times of pandemic.

The world is changing all the time. Some changes happen suddenly and
last for a short time, and others are longer. Even though change may seem
scary, it can also be a chance for you to learn and grow.

What is It

Brainpower: complex organ controls your every thought and

move
The adolescent’s years are a time of extreme brain changes. Curiously, two of
the primary brain functions mature at different rates. Recent brain study indicates
that the part of the brain that recognize rewards from risk, the limbic system,
develops at a fast rate early adolescence. The section of the brain that regulates
impulses and employs long term perspective, the frontal lobes, develops later. This
explains why teenagers in mid-adolescence take more risks than older teenagers.
As the frontal lobes become more developed two things happen. First, self-control
improves as adolescence become more capable of judging cause and effect. Second,
more sections of the brain become involved in managing emotions and teenagers
become better at understanding other emotions.
The Power to Act
Let us understand the human
brain. The human brain has puzzled
people throughout the ages. Some
scientists have devoted their entire
lives studying how the brain works.
The brain is a very complex organ
made-up of mutually dependent
parts, each with it’s precise purpose.
The brain is the fattest organ in the
body consist of at least 60 percent fat.
It has three important sections the
forebrain, midbrain, and the hind
brain.
The Forebrain Structures
The two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex are part of the forebrain which
is the largest part of the brain. The forebrain contains the cerebral cortex and
several other structures that lie beneath the cortex (called subcortical structures):
thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and the limbic system (collection of
structures). The cerebral cortex, which is the outer surface of the brain, is
associated with higher level processes such as consciousness, thought, emotion,
reasoning, language, and memory. Each cerebral hemisphere can be subdivided
into four lobes, each associated with different functions. These hemispheres are
composed of four sections called lobes.
The four lobes of the brain are the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes.
1. Frontal lobe
- located in the forward part of the
brain, extending back to a
fissure known as the central
sulcus. The frontal lobe is
involved in reasoning, motor
control, emotion, and language.
It contains the motor cortex,
which is involved in planning
and coordinating movement;
the prefrontal cortex, which is
responsible for higher-level
cognitive functioning; and Broca’s area, which is essential for language
production.
 2. Parietal lobe
- located immediately behind the frontal lobe and is involved in processing
information from the body’s senses. It contains the somatosensory cortex,
which is essential for processing sensory information from across the body,
such as touch, temperature, and pain.
3. Temporal lobe
- located on the side of the head (temporal means “near the temples”), and is
associated with hearing, memory, emotion, and some aspects of language.
The auditory cortex, the main area responsible for processing auditory
information, is located within the temporal lobe. Wernicke’s area,
important for speech comprehension, is also located here.
4. Occipital lobe
- located at the very back of the brain, and contains the primary visual cortex,
which is responsible for interpreting incoming visual information.

 The Limbic System

- Emotion involves the entire
nervous system, of course. But
there are two parts of the nervous
system that are especially
significant: The limbic system and
the autonomic nervous system.
- Regulates temperature, heart rate,
blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Its parts, Hippocampus, and
Amygdala assist from memories.
- It is the center of emotions. Nerve
impulses to the Amygdala activate the emotions of anger, fear, aggression,
reward, and attraction. These emotions stimulate the hypothalamus which
controls blood pressure and body temperature.

 The Midbrain Structures

Midbrain, also called mesencephalon,
region of the developing vertebrate brain that is
composed of the tectum and tegmentum. The
midbrain serves important functions in motor
movement, particularly movements of the eye,
and in auditory and visual processing. It is
located within the brainstem and between the
two other developmental regions of the brain,
the forebrain and the hindbrain; compared with
those regions, the midbrain is relatively small.
 The Hindbrain Structures
Hindbrain, also called rhombencephalon,
region of the developing vertebrate brain that is
composed of the medulla oblongata, the pons, and
the cerebellum. The hindbrain coordinates functions
that are fundamental to survival, including
respiratory rhythm, motor activity, sleep, and
wakefulness. It is one of the three major
developmental divisions of the brain; the other two
are the midbrain and forebrain.

The Two Hemispheres and their Functions

If you would split the brain right down the
middle into two symmetrical, or equal parts, you
would have a right and left hemisphere.
Although equal in size, these two sides are not the
same, and do not carry out the same functions.
The left side of the brain is responsible for
controlling the right side of the body. It also
performs tasks that have to do with logic, such as in
science and mathematics. On the other hand, the
right hemisphere coordinates the left side of the
body and performs tasks that have do with creativity
and the arts. Both hemispheres are connected by the
corpus callosum and serve the body in different
ways.
 A critical age
Because the brain's healthy functioning is essential to living and determines
quality of life, doctors emphasize protecting the organ from injury and chemical
abuse. There is a consensus among researchers that brain cells regenerate
throughout life, said Doug Postels, a pediatric neurosurgeon in New Orleans, but
that new growth happens very slowly after a certain age. "The size of the brain
doesn't increase much after 3," Postels explains.
During the first three years of life, the brain experiences most of its growth
and develops most of its potential for learning. That is the time frame in which
synaptogenesis, or the creation of pathways for brain cells to communicate, occurs.
 The Real Truth About “Smart” and “Dumb”
No one thinks babies are stupid because they can’t talk. They just haven’t
learned how to yet. But some people will call a person dumb if they can’t solve math
problems, or spell a word right, or read fast—even though all these things are
learned with practice. At first, no one can read or solve equations. But with practice,
they can learn to do it. And the more a person learns, the easier it gets to learn new
things—because their brain “muscles” have gotten stronger! The students everyone
thinks as the “smartest” may not have been born any different from anyone else.
But before they started school, they may have started to practice reading.
 They had already started to build up their “reading muscles.” Then, in the
classroom, everyone said, “That’s the smartest student in the class.” They don’t
realize that any of the other students could learn to do as well if they exercised and
practiced reading as much.
Remember, all those other students learned to speak at least one whole
language already—something that grownups find very hard to do. They just need to
build up their “reading muscles” too.
 What can you do to get smarter?
Just like a weightlifter or a basketball player, to be a brain athlete, you have
to exercise and practice. By practicing, you make your brain stronger. You also learn
skills that let you use your brain in a smarter way—just like a basketball player
learns new moves. But many people miss out on the chance to grow a stronger brain
because they think they can’t do it, or that it’s too hard. It does take work, just like
becoming stronger physically or becoming a better ball player does. Sometimes it
even hurts! But when you feel yourself get better and stronger; all the work is worth
it!

What’s More

What’s your brain doing?

A. Instructions: The region of the brain have been labeled, your challenge is to
write the correct name for each. Write your answers on the separate worksheet or
paper.

The brain is the most complex part of the human body. This three-pound
organ is the seat of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body
movement, and controller of behavior. Lying in its bony shell and washed by
protective fluid, the brain is the source of all the qualities that define our
humanity. The brain is the crown jewel of the human body.
Word Bank
B. Instructions: Identify what is being asked. Choose your answers in the word
bank given below. Write your answers in the space provided then apply the
appropriate color in the brain diagram. Write your answers on the separate
worksheet or paper.

Word Bank

Occipital Lobe Parietal Lobe Brain Stem Temporal Lobe Frontal

lobe
Cerebellum

1. This part of the brain is a lobe found at the front of the brain and controls
thinking and creating. (Color this part of the brain blue.)
2. The lobe helps us find our way and recognize objects and their uses,
and experiences sensations such as pain, pressure, touch, and temperature.
(Color this part of the brain green.)
3. This part of the brain is a lobe found at the back of the head. It is here that
messages from the eyes are interpreted. (Color this part of the brain
red.)
4. This lobe is found next to our ears. It helps us hear, plan our speech, and
remember. (Color this yellow.)
5. This part of the brain coordinates our physical skills and balance.
(Color this part of the brain orange.)
6. This part of the brain connects the rest of the brain to the spinal cord.
(Color this part of the brain violet.)
The two Hemispheres
C. Instructions: What action would you expect each hemisphere be in charge off? In
a separate sheet of paper enumerate at least 5 things each from the jumbled words
given below. Write your answers on the separate worksheet or paper.

Example: Analytic Thought Example: Art awareness

Creativity Logic

Language Imagination

Intuition Reasoning

Science and math Insight

Holistic thought Written

Number skills Music awareness

Right hand control Left hand control

Right hemisphere is responsible for control of the left side of the body
and is the more artistic and creative side of the brain. While Left Hemisphere
is responsible for control of the right side of the body and is the more academic
and logical side of the brain.
Quick Quiz
D. Instructions: From the list given below, tell what hemisphere is being used.
Write your answers on the separate worksheet or paper.
1. Drawing a picture of an imaginary castle
2. Doing your math homework
3. Daydreaming when you should be studying!
4. Talking to a friend
5. Listening to a parent or teacher
6. Reading a map
7. Appreciating music
8. Recognizing faces and tunes
9. Playing chess
10. Learning a new language
11. Learn new moves

Left Hemisphere Right Hemisphere

Example:
1. Drawing a picture of an imaginary castle
Brain Sudoku
E. Instructions: This puzzle can be solved with logic and without guessing. Each box
should have a letter from the words M I N D W O R K S. Each row must contain only
one of each letter; each column should contain only one of each letter; each of the
nine 3x3 boxes should contain only one of each letter. As you solve this puzzle, you
can see how your “MIND WORKS.” Write your answers on the separate worksheet
or paper.
Example:

Your brain is one of those things that can be “use it or lose it.” While it
isn’t a muscle, you can actually train your brain to improve your memory, help
you retain information, stave off things like Alzheimer’s and more.
Exercise your brain by getting you to think logically about how to place
numbers in boxes within a grid. The point of sudoku is not to repeat any
numbers while you're filling in the grid. The challenge is figuring out which
number fits into which box.
Crossword Puzzle
F. Instructions: Read the clues given below. Write your answers on the
separate worksheet or paper.
1

2 3
4 5
6
7
8
9

10 11

12 13

14

15
16
17

18

Across Down
4. Works with Pons to govern 1. Smell, speech production.
sleep and arousal. 2. Governs bodily maintenance.
10. The brain's sensory 3. Linked with memory.
switchboard. 5. Hearing and language production.
11. Balance and coordination. 6. Fine motor control.
12. Sight, vision, and visual 7. Responsible for transmitting
perception. Information between brain and the
13. Responsible for breathing, rest of the body.
heartbeat, and other vital life 8. Master gland of the endocrine system.
functions. 9. It is what is divided into right/left
14. Thick band of axons hemisphere and the four lobes of the
connecting the two brain.
hemispheres of the cerebral 15. Helps regulate reflex activities critical
cortex. for survival.
17. Taste interpretation. 16. Involved with respiration, movement,
18. Governs emotions like walking, sleep, and dreaming.
happiness, love and sadness.
 What I Have Learned

Write your answers on the separate worksheet or paper.

 How can you describe the brain?

 What are the sections of the brain and its functions?

 What is the left and right brain functions in improving one’s learning?

What I Can Do

Looking after yourself during this pandemic is very important. We are all
under a tremendous amount of stress which releases the stress hormone cortisol
into our brains. This can dampen our immune systems making us more susceptible
to sickness. Incorporating some of the following activities can help you stay mentally
and physically strong. Write your answers on the separate worksheet or paper.
Instructions: Given the brain illustration below:
1. Color the downstairs brain a LOUD color
2. Color the upstairs brain a CALM color
3. Decorate the downstairs with FEELINGS
4. Decorate the downstairs with COPING STRATEGIES

Example:

Your will be checked using the criteria below:

Creativity - 20 points
Uniqueness - 20 points
Relatedness to the topic - 10 points
Total - 50 points
 QUIZ

Directions: Read and analyze each statement below and carefully choose the letter
that best describe the statement. Write your answers on the separate worksheet or
paper.
1. What is the basic functional units of the nervous system and are key to brain
function? They are comprised of a nerve cell body, axon and dendrite.
a. Lobes
b. Neurons
c. Cerebrum
d. Cerebellum
2. What lobe determine the personality and emotions?
a. Temporal
b. Frontal
c. Parietal
d. Occipital
3. Who tend to be more emotional swayed by feeling and seem to view things
and events through feelings?
a. Types of mind-mapping
b. Right-brained individuals
c. Left-brained individuals
d. Computerized
4. What can happen when brain processes malfunction?
a. Mental illness
b. Tremors
c. Symptoms related to Parkinson’s disease
d. All of the above
5. What do you call the doughnut shaped system of neural structures at the
border of the brainstem and cerebral hemisphere; associated with emotions?
a. Limbic system
b. Somatic nervous system
c. Peripheral nervous system
d. Endocrine system
6. What is underneath the limbic system, responsible for vital life functions?
a. Thalamus
b. Brain stem
c. Cerebellum
d. Hippocampus
7. How many hemispheres in your brain?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
 8. What are the characteristics of a person who is left?
a. list maker. enjoys making master schedules. completes things in
order. usually good with math, spelling, directions.
b. not time conscious, recalls people’s faces, or gestures when speaking
c. spontaneous or impulsive
d. person uses intuitive processing
9. What is a chemical in the brain that is associated with pleasure?
a. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
b. Serotonin
c. Dopamine
d. None of the above
10- 15. Which part of the brain interprets understanding language, memory and
hearing?

A B C D E F

10. 13.

14.

11.
15.
12.

Additional Activities

Left-Brain/Right-Brain Test
"There is a foolish corner in the brain of the wisest man."- Aristotle
We go through life attached to a lot of personality-related labels - introverted,
optimistic, strong but silent, drama queen, etc. But left-brain or right-brain? These
are not so well-known. Interestingly however, whether it is our left hemisphere that
is more dominant or our right one, the distinction can impact our personality and
the decisions we make. For example, left-brain people are more organized and
systematic. Right-brain people are more creative and intuitive. So which side of your
brain do you wake up on in the morning? Find out with this test.
Instructions: Which Side Are You On? Circle either “A” or “B” that most accurately
describes you.
1.
A. At home, my room has organized drawer and closets. I even try to organize
other things around the house.

B. At home, I like the "lived-in" look. I clean as I see a need and when I have
the time.

2. A. My desk is usually clean and has everything in place.

B. I leave my work out on my desk so I can work as I am inspired by ideas.

3. A. I like using the "tried and true" method.

B. I like creating new methods.

4. A. I follow directions carefully when I build a model, make a craft, etc.

B. I like to build a model my way, making my own creation.

5. A. I complete one project at a time.

B. I like to start many different projects, but do not like to finish them.

6. When I am asked to write a report on a subject, I...

A. research information, then outline and organize my writing.

B. work in my own self-inspired direction.

7. When I had to do a project in class, I...

A. used my parents' ideas, a book's illustrated project or modeled another

student's project who received an "A+" from my teacher.

B. loved the challenge, and like a "mad scientist," I produced a unique project.

8. When I am in charge of a big job with many people working, I usually...

A. organize, give everyone their responsibilities, make lists, and make sure
everyone finishes their part on time.

B. work at my own pace, let others work on the job as they want. I want to
take care of needs/problems as they arise.
9. Which of these activities would you like to do the most?

A. planning the details for a trip/project

B. creating an original art form

10. I hate it when other people...

A. are indecisive about what activities to do when I am with them.

B. plan activities in step-by-step detail when I am with them.

Scoring the Left/Right Brain Test

Add the number of "A" Add the number of "B" responses.

responses. Write the sum here. Write the sum here.

If you have more "A" responses than "B" If you have more "B" responses than
responses, then you are left-brained "A" responses, you are right brain
dominate. dominate.
This means you... This means you...
• are very rational • are very creative
• analyze people and situations • are usually emotional
• usually favor the subjects • like to be different from others
of math/science
• handle situations easily
• are methodical
• like to think abstractly
• are a sequential thinker
• enjoy the arts (music, art, drama)
• use logical reasoning
• are a divergent thinker
• like to work with things that can be
seen or touched

FUN FACTS ABOUT YOUR "SIDES"

• The right side of your body is controlled by the left side of your brain.
• The left side of your body is controlled by the right side of your brain.
• Most people are left-brain dominate, even people who are left-handed writers.
• The left side of your brain controls speech, reading, writing, and math.
• The right-side deals with spatial relationships, abstractions, and your feelings.
References
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