Body System Lessons and Activities

In addition to the activities found in the last two resources in Background Information for Teachers, we present a few more activities here, touching on many of the human body systems. These resources are meant to complement your existing lessons.

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Cells Alive http://www.cellsalive.com/index.htm

This resource is presented first because organ systems have the cell as their fundamental unit of structure and function. The interactive animation allows for self-study of cell structures. Choose "Cell Models" from the left navigation bar, then click on "animal cell" and roll over an organelle to get a close-up image and written explanation. Remind students this is a representation, a model, of a generalized, fictitious, animal cell. Ask, do you think all golgi bodies are really yellow, and all cell nuclei are really blue? In other lessons, students can look at actual images of cells from particular tissues that may not appear, at first, to resemble the images seen here. MSP full record

Exploring microscopes http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/activities/students/exploring.html

An introduction to the light microscope provides step-by-step instructions that facilitate discovery of how the microscope affects an image. A Java-based interactive simulation is also included. MSP full record

Tissues of Life http://www.smm.org/tissues/

This web site from the Science Museum of Minnesota offers a fun and interactive way to learn about the structure and function of the body's tissues. While some activities are designed to complement a visit to the museum exhibit, the web site also includes many stand-alone features. For example, with Explore Body Tissues, students can take a look at cross sections of human bodies, browse through a gallery of scar photos (and perhaps add a photo of their own!), explore areas of the human body at 30x actual size, or play a game while learning about the different cells involved in wound healing. Tissues of Life does not include lesson plans, but this engaging site would be a great addition to related classroom activities for a range of grade levels. MSP full record

Radiographic anatomy of the skeleton http://uwmsk.org/RadAnatomy.html

This tutorial uses X-ray images to demonstrate the anatomical features of the human skeleton. Divided into eleven modules, the tutorial presents the bones, landmarks, and articulations of the upper extremity (shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand), lower extremity (pelvis, knee, ankle, and foot), and spine (cervical and lumbar regions). For each image, visitors can view a labeled version or click on a structure to learn its name. MSP full record

Bones : does drinking soda affect your health? http://www.figurethis.org/challenges/c68/challenge.htm

Although intended as a math exercise, this quick activity is an appropriate extension to a study of the skeletal system. Students not only apply knowledge of bone tissue cells but also use science skills of data analysis and interpretation. MSP full record

Access Excellence: A Walk Through the Gut http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEC/AEF/1994/ward_walk.html

To complement a study of the digestive system, and to formatively assess students, try this hands-on cooperative lesson directing students to simulate and analyze the passage of food through the digestive system. Originally designed for special education and special needs students at the high school level, it is appropriate for middle school students as well. The site includes short sections on materials, procedure, group questions, and more. MSP full record

From the Heart http://www.teachersdomain.org/6-8/sci/life/stru/circulator/index.html

This video segment describes the basics of the circulatory system: how the heart pumps the blood that carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. A support essay and questions for discussion are included. Free registration is required. MSP full record

Lungs : information and breathing facts http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/lungs-article.html

This self-guided, animated, and interactive tutorial is something students can peruse at their own pace. MSP full record

Skin http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/skin-article.html

This is also a self-guided, interactive tutorial in the style of the lungs feature above. MSP full record

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Copyright March 2008 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.