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Course, Subject

Biology/Living Environment, Math, Science & Technology, Science (NYS P-12)

Objectives

Students will be able to:

1. Describe the functions of the different parts of the human digestive system--the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, large intestines and the rectum.
2. List the accessory organs that aid in digestion--the salivary glands, the liver, gall bladder, and the pancreas.
3. Indicate where mechanical and chemical digestion takes place.

Materials

• SMART Board with Internet connection
• Human Anatomy Website
• Digestive System worksheet (1/student) (see Support Materials below)
• Item of food such as a candy bar, apple or piece of gum.

Learning Activities

1. Have s student volunteer to come up front. Give them an item to eat. Tell the class that you would like to trace what happens to this piece of food that's about to be eaten.
2. Have the student place food item in their mouth. Before swallowing, have them either open their mouth or pull a piece of the food out and show it to the entire class. Allow for responses.
3. Digestion begins with the mouth. Have students share what is taking place in the mouth. Allow for responses.
4. Hand out worksheets (one copy per student). Go to the above bookmarked site referenced in the directions of the worksheet. Click on a part of the digestive system. A descriptive piece will appear giving a narrative about that part and its function. Have a student read it and then all students fill out the worksheets as you go along.
5. Note: If laptops are available. This activity can be completed individually or in smaller groups.

Enrichment

Students who would like to view a different site at home or students who are bilingual may visit The Virtual Body.

Description

This lesson provides a visual of the digestive system while learning the functions of each organ.

Website(s)

Human Anatomy Online
The Virtual Body
Organs of the Digestive System

Materials and Resources

Digestive System.doc

Assessment

• Go to Organs of the Digestive System.
• Have students label organs and give a function for each.

Related Academic Standards

New York State

S.HS.LS.1.2 Students who demonstrate understanding can develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms.

MST4.C.LE.LE.5.1 Students explain the basic biochemical processes in living organisms and their importance in maintaining dynamic equilibrium.

MST4.C.LE.LE.5.3 Students relate processes at the system level to the cellular level in order to explain dynamic equilibrium in multicelled organisms.