Phineas Gage, A Gruesome but True Story about Brain Science

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Phineas Gage,
A Gruesome but True Story about Brain Science
by John Fleischman

If an explosion sent a steel rod through your head, would you be able to get up? Would you be able to walk and talk? Could you tell your doctor what happened to you? Amazingly, Phineas Gage did! But, could he make a complete recovery with a big hunk of his brain missing?

Through the unfolding, fascinating story of Phineas Gage's life after the accident, you will see the growth of doctors' understanding of the brain and how it works. You'll love the gruesome illustrations, too!

Research Links for
Phineas Gage by John Fleischman

Questions and Answers by the Author

My Fingerprints, My Footprints
(A Kids' Wings Lesson on Primary Source Documents)

The Two Hemispheres and Split Brain Experiments

Chocolate and Its Affect on the Brain

Neuroscience for Kids

Neuroscience Dominoes

The Secret Life of the Brain

Interactive Brain and Its Parts--Awesome!!

Probe the Brain
to understand why it was so important that the rod missed Phineas's motor cortex!

Active Brain Activities

The Brain is the Boss

Handedness and the Brain

Nervous System Alphabet Book

Brain Songs

Nerves Song (Telegraph Song)

Right Brain--- Left Brain

While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. [Your foot will likely change direction, and there's nothing you can actually do about it.]

Literary Connection:
The Graduation of Jake Moon by Barbara Park
(Alzheimers Disease)

The 12-page Kids' Wings Study Guide for Phinease Gage includes:
An Anticipation Guide
A Readers Theater Introduction
Cumulative Reading
Brainy Journal
Doctor's Log
Chapter Questions for Prediction/confirmation
Logic Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle
Multiple Choice Comprehension
Researching the Brain and Its Connections
and Answer Keys

Our special thanks to Rose's Classical Page for the background music: E Lucevan Le Stelle from "Tosca" by GIACOMO PUCCINI (1858-1924)

The world's greatest Literature Units for Phineas Gage and 20 other terrific children's novels are found in

Mountains and Valleys is filled with cross-curriculum activities for 21 Award Winning Books featuring:

Writing Prompts
Multiple intelligences
Problem Solving
Character Building
Games, Songs,
Math, Science, &
More!!

Click here for more details!

More Award-Winning Books for 2004-2005

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Interdisciplinary Learning Units for Grades 3-7 are available in the new publication:
Mountains and Valleys,

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