Learning Activity

Human Body Systems Research

Subject Area

English Language Arts
Science

Grade(s)

4

Overview

The article from Britannica School Elementary provides information on human body systems for research. In this activity, students will use articles from this source to obtain and communicate information on one of the twelve human body systems. Human body systems for research include: cardiovascular, circulatory, digestive, endocrine, immune, lymphatic, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal, and urinary.

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

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.

Unpacked Content

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
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 4

ELA21.4.R3

Use digital and electronic tools appropriately, safely, and ethically when researching and writing, both individually and collaboratively.

Unpacked Content

UP:ELA21.4.R3

Vocabulary

  • Digital tools
  • Electronic tools
  • Appropriately
  • Safely
  • Ethically
  • Research
  • Individually
  • Collaboratively

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Digital and electronic tools must be used appropriately, safely, and ethically.
  • Digital and electronic tools can be used for research or for writing tasks.
  • Digital and electronic tools can be independently or with others.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Engage in safe and ethical behavior when using digital and electronic tools individually and collaboratively.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Safe behaviors, interactions that keep you out of harm's way, are necessary when using digital and electronic tools.
  • Ethical behavior, interactions that align to one's moral code, are necessary when using digital and electronic tools.

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

The students will ethically research and communicate information about human body systems.

The students will use digital tools correctly and properly cite their source of information.

Activity Details

Students will need individual access to an internet-capable device.

  1. Prior to researching, the student will select their human body system from the twelve human body systems listed in the third paragraph of the article: https://school.eb.com/levels/elementary/article/human-body/599366
  2. The teacher will demonstrate how to access the Britannica School Elementary resource. Go to https://www.avl.lib.al.us/. Click Elementary School. Click Britannica School: Elementary (Britannica). Search "Human Body." Click on the article titled "Human Body."
  3. The teacher will demonstrate the read-aloud feature of the encyclopedia (arrow icon at the top of the article).
  4. The teacher will demonstrate the dictionary feature of the encyclopedia (double-click on a word to show the definition).
  5. The teacher will demonstrate the cite function of the encyclopedia (checkmark icon on the right-hand side of the screen).
  6. Students will access their selected human body system using the article from Britannica School Elementary online encyclopedia. Students should click on the link (in blue print) for their assigned human body system.
  7. Students will ethically cite their source of information on their notes sheet.
  8. Students will use the following guiding questions to help them take notes on their selected material.

What are the main organs and important parts of your selected body system?

9.  Students will take appropriate notes from the online encyclopedia source using the Online Encyclopedia Notes Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SU5H3Enz3urqZDhsRkziBU6uO7tK1jS4NMFTeab1KY4/edit?usp=sharing

Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

  • Students will ethically cite their source on their notes sheet. The teacher will circulate and complete a citation check as students are taking notes.
  • Students will write thorough and detailed notes effectively answering the four questions about their assigned human body system.
  • Thorough and detailed notes:
    • Accurately summarize the information about the selected human body system
    • May use phrases or short answers instead of complete sentences
    • Are in the researcher's own words (paraphrase the material)
    • Are factual in content
    • Are taken from the source
  • The teacher will check for understanding of the science content using the four questions as a guide for evaluation.

Acceleration

Students may choose additional sources of information. Possible sources may include print books from the school's library or these ebooks:

 

Intervention

ELL students may need to use the Google Translate function of the online encyclopedia.

ELL students may need the notes sheet and the four guiding questions translated into their home language.

The teacher may choose to restrict the number of systems researched and choose small groups of 2 to 4 students to work together to research. Ideally, students who need assistance would be working with students collaboratively.

Variation Tips

  • The teacher may choose to assign body systems to the students having them work in groups of two to four. This would allow the teacher to connect students who may need additional assistance with a student willing to help another student.
  • These articles 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.
  • These articles can be assigned via Google Classroom or downloaded to Google Drive. The icons for these products are on the right-hand side of the screen.
  • This activity can be used in the library or in the classroom.  

 

Approximate Duration

Total Duration

46 to 60 Minutes

Related Learning Activities

Learning Activity (Before)

Human Body Systems Introduction

Learning Activity (During)

Human Body Systems Research

Learning Activity (After)

Human Body Systems Reflection

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

Materials and Resources

Materials and Resources

  • Projector and/or interactive whiteboard to display the activity
  • Pencils
  • Copies of the Online Encyclopedia Notes Sheet for each student
  • Copies of the Human Body Checklist (guiding questions) for each student
  • Internet-capable devices for each student and the teacher

Digital Tools / Resources

Britannica School Elementary - Human Body
https://school.eb.com/levels/elementary/article/human-body/599366

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

Michelle Barnett
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