Introductory
Lesson: Our Amazing Body
created by Holly Allen
March 25, 2006
Grade
Level: Third
Objectives:
NCSCOS Third Grade Science
4.01 Identify the skeleton as a system
of the human body.
NCSCOS Third Grade Technology
3.04 Identify, discuss, and use multimedia to present
ideas/concepts/information in a variety of ways as a class.
Materials:
24 copies of newsletter to be handed out to parents: can be found at file:///F:/Newsletter/NewsletterSkeletal.pub
PowerPoint presentation: can be found at file:///F:/thehumanskeletonpp.ppt
Multimedia Page
Copy of my video: "Our Body's Support Systems"
Key Questions:
What do my students already know about skeletons?
What do they hope to learn in this unit?
Procedures:
1. I will begin class by asking all of the children to join me
in a game of Simon Says. I will ask them to do various physical
tasks, such as jump, squat, raise their hand, stand on their toes,
etc. Finally, "Simon" will instruct that the students sit in
their desks, zip their mouths, and prepare to learn. I will then
ask for a description of what just happened. I will ask the children
what specific body parts seem to allow us to move about like
that. I hope to generate two main answers: our bones and our
muscles. I will explain that both of these are systems of our
bodies; systems are several body parts working together.
2. Next, I will start the PowerPoint presentation for the
class. I will ask if they have worked with a powerpoint
presentation before, then explain that I created this one but it's not
quite done. It needs my students input as well. I will
allow individuals to come up and type in their answers as we work
through it together, modifying the presentation as we go.
We will discuss each page as we work through it; I will monitor my
students closely to ensure that all students are participating and
thinking.
3. I will show my students the video introduction. I think this
will be the most effective time to show it, as the students have
already familiarized themselves with the skeletal concept, yet not the
muscular system or joints.
4. We will discuss our plans for the week ahead and brainstorm
some final goals that we hope to complete.
5. For extension, I will ask the children to guess how many bones
they have in their body. I will ask them to either research this
online or in a book at home, or to ask a parent for his/her guess and
to be ready to share their findings with the class in the
morning. I will also ask them to answer the following questions:
- Higher Order Thinking Skills
- Recall:
Define the word "bone" to the best of your ability.
- Analysis:
Break what we discussed today into three main parts and add to it
throughout the unit (What I Know, What I Want to Know, and What I
Learned)
- Comparison: Contrast what you
know about bones and muscles
- Inference:
Predict how your life would be different if you had broken both thumb
bones.
- Evaluation:
Evaluate today's lesson. What was your favorite part? What was
your least favorite part? Why?
Assessment:
There will be no formal assessment today, as it was an introductory
lesson. I will collect their answers to the above questions to see what
they are thinking in relation to each topic. I will also be
paying close attention to my student's answers and participation to
ensure that I can best meet their needs and utilize prior knowledge
during this unit.
Differentiation:
I will closely observe all students to ensure that they are actively
understanding. I will offer any help as needed, both individually
and in the group. For students that have an especially difficult
time writing or reading, I will ask them to answer three of the
questions orally with me and to answer the other two on paper.
Next Steps:
The children will be sent home thinking about the number of bones in
their bodies and answering the above HOTS questions. I hope that
both of these assignments will get my students excited about the
upcoming unit. The next lesson will deal more specifically with bone
functions and purposes.