Human Body Systems Introduction

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

4

Overview

This resource gives an overview of human body systems and how they interact with each other. This short video (2:43 minutes) can be will serve as a springboard for discussion regarding human body systems. In addition, students will record their learning from the video on a graphic organizer.

This learning activity was created as a result of the ALEX - Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) Resource Development Summit.

Phase

Before/Engage
Science (2015) Grade(s): 4

SC15.4.10

Obtain and communicate information explaining that humans have systems that interact with one another for digestion, respiration, circulation, excretion, movement, control, coordination, and protection from disease.

UP:SC15.4.10

Vocabulary

  • communicate
  • articulate
  • obtain
  • structure
  • function
  • interactions
  • digestion
  • respiration
  • circulation
  • excretion
  • movement
  • control
  • coordination
  • protection
  • disease
  • body systems

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Humans have systems that interact with one another.
  • The purpose, functions, and interactions of the digestive system.
  • The purpose, functions, and interactions of the respiratory system.
  • The purpose, functions, and interactions of the circulatory system.
  • The purpose, functions, and interactions of the excretory system.
  • The purpose, functions, and interactions of the systems that contribute to movement, control, and coordination.
  • The purpose, functions, and interactions of the systems that protect the body from disease.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Obtain information by reading and comprehending grade-appropriate complex texts about the interacting systems in the human body.
  • Evaluate information about interactions and functions of human body systems by comparing and/or combining across complex texts and/or other reliable media.
  • Communicate information orally and/or in written formats about interactions and functions of human body systems.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • The body is a system of interacting parts that makes up a whole and carries out functions its individual parts can not.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Crosscutting Concepts

Systems and System Models

Learning Objectives

Students will actively view a video on human body systems, gather information, and record their new learning on a graphic organizer.

Activity Details

  1. Prior to watching the introductory video, students will create a four-sectioned parallel fold paper. The teacher will say and model, "Hold your paper landscape and fold the paper in half "hamburger" style and then in half again hamburger style to create four sections."
  2. The student will actively watch the Human Body introductory video from Britannica School Elementary's Human Body entry: Body Systems Video.
  3. If the video link is not directly accessible, open a browser tab to the Alabama Virtual Library (https://www.avl.lib.al.us/) and click on the green Elementary School icon located on the navigation bar at the top of the site. From the Elementary School page, click on the Britannica School Elementary icon (https://school.eb.com/levels/elementary). The online encyclopedia will open in another tab. In the Britannica School Elementary's search bar, type the search term: human body. Click on the article for the Human Body. The 2:43-minute video is located on the left side of the screen.
  4. As students watch the video, students will write down four interesting facts or a fact they didn't know on each of the four segments of their four-sectioned paper.
  5. After the video, students will share their notes with a shoulder partner.
  6. The teacher will circulate during the shared talking time. The teacher may also call on students to share their findings orally.

Assessment Strategies

The teacher will use both oral and written student responses for a formative assessment. The teacher will evaluate each student's oral and written responses to ensure the student obtained and communicated accurate information about human body systems.

Acceleration

Students may use the back of their graphic organizer to record more facts from the video.

Intervention

The teacher may choose to pair students for peer assistance with organizing thoughts or writing facts pertinent to the video presentation.

This video transcript displayed below the video can be translated to meet the needs of ELL students. The icon for Google Translate is on the right-hand side of the screen and looks like a globe.

Variation Tips

This activity could be used in the library or in the classroom.

Background / Preparation

  • The teacher will need to access the introductory video from Britannica School Elementary's Human Body entry: Body Systems Video.
  • if the video link is not directly accessible, open a browser tab to the Alabama Virtual Library (https://www.avl.lib.al.us/) and click on the green Elementary School icon located on the navigation bar at the top of the site. From the Elementary School page, click on the Britannica School Elementary icon (https://school.eb.com/levels/elementary). The online encyclopedia will open in another tab. In the Britannica School Elementary's search bar, type the search term: human body. Click on the article for the Human Body. The 2:43 minute video is located on the left side of the screen.
  • The teacher must project the article and video for whole group viewing.
  • Students will need to know how to fold their own paper. Students will create a four-sectioned parallel fold paper: fold the paper in half hamburger style and then in half again hamburger style to create four sections.
  • The teacher may need to show students how to complete a four-segmented parallel fold. See a similar fold on this site for reference: https://bambra.com.au/news/guide-to-paper-folding/
  • Students may also view this short video showing how to make a segmented parallel fold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS9lhZIhYOw

Learning Activity (Before)

Human Body Systems Introduction

Total Duration

0 to 15 Minutes

Learning Activity (During)

Human Body Systems Research

Learning Activity (After)

Human Body Systems Reflection

Materials and Resources

  1. Internet-capable device for the teacher
  2. Projector and whiteboard to display the website
  3. Pencils and paper for each student
Britannica School Elementary - Body Systems
https://school.eb.com/levels/elementary/assembly/view/203489

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

Michelle Barnett
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