Then, it was time to explore our hearts. We tried out using a note taking guide while going over the parts of the circulatory system. After talking about the heart, they had a chance to find their own heart rate, both resting and after a few minutes of activity. Then, we calculated how many times their heart might beat in their lifetime based on their current resting heart rate.
Videos:
What Color is Your Blood? This question came up in class and I thought this explains the myth of blue blood well. Scientists Discover the Purpose of the Appendix Another video prompted by questions in class. Activities: Montessori Inspired Heart Activities and Printables --Some of these might be fun, many are simple enough to work with younger siblings as well. Circulation Game --This looks like it would be fun and would help everyone memorize the path the blood takes through the heart/lungs/body.
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I thought we could explore the digestive system a little deeper with a few activities that would help illustrate how various types of food are digested, what the body does with the food, and some of the mechanics at work. We explored mechanics, such as how the body can defy gravity when we swallow upside down, and what peristalsis looks like in the esophagus by a simulation squeezing to move a ball through a pair of nylons. By using different amounts of paper towel strips, they were able to see how the villi of the small intestines help the body absorb more nutrients than if it was a smooth surface. Probably one of the most fun-- they designed a model of a kidney filtering blood, using sand, water, and coffee filters. Several of the stations involved making drawings, and as a whole, they put a lot of effort into their sketches. One of the reasons I love doing these lab stations every so often is because I can include a variety of activities that can reach all different learning types and interests. We had a lot of kinesthetic activities, some involving whole body movement, simple demonstrations and a chance to design your own model, listening to an explanation read out loud and drawing and labeling your own diagram comparing body parts to every day household items. It gives the kids a chance to connect with science in different ways. Videos:
What Does the Liver Do? How Your Digestive System Works (TedEd) How Food Travels Through the Digestive System --This animation shows what peristalsis waves look like. Activities: Concept Map of Digestive System This will be a good review of the digestive system to practice for next week's walk through. I had these ready to go home, but I think only a couple of students got them, so you can print your own from here. What is your food doing for you? Just like plants use their root system for absorption and leaves (shoot system) for photosynthesis to obtain the nutrients and energy they need, the digestive system is how we pull the nutrients we need from our environment. Research some of the food you like to see what nutrients they supply and what those nutrients do. Create a poster to illustrate what you learned. Today, we began our study of the human digestive system, starting with the impressive length of the small intestine. We learned about mechanical and chemical digestion, and how both types begin in the mouth. Then, we did a little digestion ourselves. By holding a saltine cracker in the mouth for 60 seconds without chewing, they were able to see that chemical digestion begins with saliva, and then we added in mechanical digestion (chewing) and could see how they work together. We continued to explore digestion--simulating by using a potato masher to act as molars, ziplock bags for the stomach with soda as the acid, nylons for the intestines to demonstrate how water and nutrients are removed from the food at that stage for the body to use. We walked through the various steps of digesting a peanut butter sandwich, from beginning to end (ask them about the end--it was appropriately gross!) As I demonstrated the different stages of digestion, and gave them some of the facts from the above chart, they filled out their diagram of the digestive system, which was sent home with them so they can complete it if desired. The more they learn and study the various organs and areas that help break down their food, the more fun our walk-through digestive system will be next week!
Videos: Human Body Systems, Amoeba Sisters This is a good overview of the different human body systems, some of which we'll be studying. The Magic School Bus: For Lunch Always fun to revisit the Magic School Bus! Books: The Gas We Pass This topic came up in class and while this book is aimed at a younger audience, it does explain where gas comes from and might be of interest. It's available at the Livermore library. You Wouldn't Want to Live without Poop Also available at the Livermore Library, the You Wouldn't Want to series is one we've enjoyed and this one takes a look at digestion and all the important aspects of this waste product. Activities: Model the Length of the Digestive System I had a sample model available in class, but it might be fun to measure out your own. How Fast Does Bile Breakdown Fat? Try out this simulation to explore how the body breaks down our food. |
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May 2020
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