LESSON TITLE
CERCA QUESTION
Homeostasis
Science
RESOURCES
How does the human body maintain homeostasis?
• Build Background Knowledge
https://www.pinterest.com/thinkcerca
/homeostasis
• CERCA Framework
• Vocabulary Routine
• Speaking and Listening Routines
Homeostasis: The Greatest
Achievement
How does homeostasis maintain glucose levels? What happens
when those systems malfunction?
Introduce the CERCA Question
1
Connect 1
Online
Small group
Offline
Individual activity
Activity time period
Speaking and
listening activity
Audio
En | Sp
Available in English
and Spanish
En | Sp
Introduce the concept of homeostasis. Explain that glucose is blood
sugar, and that the body tries to maintain homeostasis in the body’s
glucose levels. When someone has diabetes, their system
malfunctions, or does not work normally. Have students discuss
other ways in which the body works to maintain homeostasis.
Have students log in to
ThinkCERCA and click
into this lesson.
LEVEL 3-4 Expanding
LEVEL 3-4 Expanding
LEVEL 3-4 Expanding
Ask students what normal internal human temperature is. Discuss
what happens to this internal temperature changes when a person
is in cold or hot conditions.
ASK: Does external temperature change human internal
temperature?
Support language acquisition using the sentence frame:
External temperature [does / does not] change human
internal temperature.
Read the overview
aloud and discuss
vocabulary. Then read
the writing prompt aloud
for students before they
answer.
Assign vocabulary words to small groups, or to partners. For
small groups, assign a word and have them map it out on
the whiteboard. When they are finished they can take a
minute to explain it while classmates copy the map down.
For partner work, have mixed ability pairs create maps for all
assigned words in their notebooks.
Use the Thumb-O-Meter routine before having students work in
groups and after to assess which words they still need to work on.
NOTE: Some students will need support for additional words not
listed on the student support page. Weave them into the instruction.
Complete Step 1:
Connect.
ASK: Why do you think human internal temperature [changes /
remains constant]?
Support language acquisition using the sentence frame:
I think human internal temperature [changes / remains
constant] because ______________.
INTRODUCE
Introduce Vocabulary
Whole group
After the routine have students add the focus words to their word
notebooks.
LEVEL 4-5 Bridging
LEVEL 4-5 Bridging
LEVEL 4-5 Bridging
Ask students to consider whether being in hot and cold conditions
affects inner body temperature. Have them try to explain their
reasoning.
Complete Step 1:
Connect.
Have students work in pairs to write their own definition of the word
in English. Next, have them brainstorm an image or mental picture to
illustrate each word.
Have students describe their bodies’ physical reactions to heat and
cold. Explore why the body reacts in these ways, and how these
reactions might help the body maintain its inner temperature.
After the routine have students add the focus words to their word
notebooks.
© 2016 ThinkCERCA.com, Inc.
CERCA SET
READING CCSS.RST.9-10.4
WRITING CCSS.WHST.9-10.1
Introduce the Summary
En | Sp
2
Read
3
Engage with the Text
Remind students that this is a summary
for the passage they will read. Point out
the Vocabulary as you read.
Have students read the text, using
Vocabulary from the student support
page as appropriate.
NOTE: If you have concerns that your students are struggling with
comprehension, you may wish to work with them on Step 4: Summarize before
Step 3: Engage with the Text.
LEVEL 3-4 Expanding
LEVEL 3-4 Expanding
LEVEL 3-4 Expanding
Have students read the Spanish
version on the student support page, if
applicable, before you read the
summary aloud and have students
follow along.
Read comprehension questions
with students before they begin reading
the passage.
Complete Step 2: Read.
Discuss comprehension questions.
Point out key vocabulary words in the
text, especially as they are relevant to
finding answers.
LEVEL 4-5 Bridging
Ask a student to read aloud the
summary in English to practice their
fluency.
LEVEL 4-5 Bridging
Complete Step 2: Read.
Discuss comprehension questions.
Point out key vocabulary words in the
text, especially as they are relevant to
finding answers.
Model highlighting the text for students.
Complete Step 3: Engage with the Text.
Use the following sentence frames to discuss the highlights students made.
________________________ is evidence that your body maintains a stable
internal environment.
The example of climbing a mountain is used to show how
___________________.
The hypothalamus is responsible for ________________.
LEVEL 4-5 Bridging
Complete Step 3: Engage with the Text.
Discuss the highlighting students did. Ask students to share their highlights
and notes, and use the following sentence stems to support student engagement
in the conversation.
________________________ and _________________ are evidence that your
body maintains a stable internal environment.
© 2016 ThinkCERCA.com, Inc.
READ
The example of climbing a mountain is used to show how
___________________, starting with _______ and ending with
___________________.
4
Summarize
Prepare students to write a CERCA by having them summarize the text.
5
Build Your Argument
Practice creating a CERCA together using the CERCA graphic organizer (online
or offline) and the leveled frames below and on the student support pages. Remind
students that some of their evidence can come from their highlighting work.
NOTE: You may wish to have students orally respond to the CERCA question
using a Listening and Speaking Routine instead of writing a response.
LEVEL 3-4 Expanding
LEVEL 3-4 Expanding
Complete a summary of the article together using either the suggested
sentence frames below or the stems in the product. Encourage students to use
Vocabulary from the lesson.
Use the following sentence frames to complete the CERCA graphic organizer.
Claim Under normal conditions, homeostasis [maintains / does not
maintain] glucose levels in the body.
Reason This is true because the body controls glucose levels according
to __________.
Evidence One example of this is the way in which with initial movement,
the body gets its energy from _____________, but once that is used up
________________________.
Reasoning This shows how ____________________________.
Complete Step 4: Summarize.
Complete Step 5: Build Your Argument.
LEVEL 4-5 Bridging
LEVEL 4-5 Bridging
Complete Step 4: Summarize.
Have students share their thoughts with the group.
Review the summaries to ensure that all students understand the big ideas of
the passage. Encourage students to use Vocabulary from the lesson.
Use the following sentence frames to complete the CERCA graphic organizer.
Claim Under normal circumstances, homeostasis [maintains / does not
maintain] glucose levels in the body
Reason because ______________________.
Evidence One example of this is the way in which with initial movement,
the body gets its energy _______, but then _____________________________.
Reasoning This shows how ____________________________ by
___________________.
Evidence When these systems break down
_______________________________.
Reasoning This shows that _______________________________________.
DRAFT
Have students complete the graphic organizer with at least one more piece of
evidence and associated reasoning. Assist as needed.
Complete Step 5: Build Your Argument.
© 2016 ThinkCERCA.com, Inc.
Use the following sentence frames to create a summary.
This article explains the process involved in _________________ by
_________________.
It describes how when this process fails, __________________.
It provides a breakdown of the different characteristics of
_______________ and ________________.
6
Create Your CERCA
Have students write their CERCA in the lesson online so that you can provide
feedback and monitor growth.
NOTE: Remind students that they can use the Copy all button to move their
work into the text box.
Complete Speaking and Listening Activities
Complete a whole group speaking and listening activity with all students who
completed the grade level lesson. Prompt students to use the vocabulary from the
passage in the activity.
LEVEL 3-4 Expanding
LEVEL 3-4 Expanding
Use the responses students made in the graphic organizer to model writing
in response to the CERCA question.
Do the Give One, Get One, Move On routine activity with students.
Have students reread their draft. Then have them submit to complete Step 6:
Write Your CERCA.
LEVEL 4-5 Bridging
Have students write their CERCA. Provide support as necessary. Remind
students that they can use vocabulary words as they write.
LEVEL 4-5 Bridging
Do the Back-to-Back and Face-to-Face routine with students.
Use this sentence frame to help students conclude their CERCA:
Under normal conditions, homeostasis does a(n) [excellent / poor ]
job of maintaining the body’s glucose levels, however this system
[does / does not] function properly when ______ or in the bodies of
people with type 1 diabetes.
© 2016 ThinkCERCA.com, Inc.
WRITE AND DISCUSS
Have students add a conclusion and then reread their draft. Then have them
submit to complete Step 6: Write Your CERCA.
LESSON
CERCA QUESTION
Homeostasis: The Greatest Achievement
How does homeostasis maintain glucose levels? What happens when those systems malfunction?
Vocabulary
condition (noun): the physical or mental state of a person or animal
diabetes (noun): a disease in which people do not produce a chemical called
insulin effectively and must limit their sugar intake
endeavors (noun) attempts to achieve goals
endocrine system (noun): the system that secretes hormones and chemical
products
glucose (noun): blood sugar
glycogen (noun): stored glucose
homeostasis (noun): the tendency of a system, including human, to maintain
an internal stability
hormones (noun): a chemical that is a messenger for body systems
hypoglycemia (noun): low blood sugar in the bloodstream
hypothalamus (noun): a region of the brain that controls body temperature,
thirst, hunger and other systems
insulin (noun): a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates blood
sugar levels
© 2016 ThinkCERCA.com,
Inc.
Vocabulary continued
nervous system (noun): the system of nerves in the body that sends the
messages that control movement and feeling between the brain and other
parts of the body
neurons (noun): cells that carry messages between the brain and other parts
of the body
pancreas (noun): a long flat gland in your belly that helps you body digest
food
predisposed (verb): liable or inclined to a specific condition
regulate (verb): set or adjust the amount or rate of something
secrete (verb): produce a liquid
stores (noun): large amounts or supplies of things that are kept for future use
summit (noun): the highest point of a mountain
type 1 diabetes (noun): a disease in which people do not produce insulin
type 2 diabetes (noun): a disease in which people’s bodies do not use insulin
properly
© 2016 ThinkCERCA.com,
Inc.
LESSON TITLE
Homeostasis: The Greatest Achievement
CERCA QUESTION
How does homeostasis maintain glucose levels? What happens when those systems malfunction?
¿Cómo ayuda la homeostasis a mantener una temperatura corporal adecuada? ¿Qué sucede cuando
este sistema no funciona bien?
Vocabulary
© 2016 ThinkCERCA.com, Inc.
condition
condición
(noun): the physical or mental state
of a person or animal
(sustantivo): estado físico o mental
de una persona o un animal
diabetes
diabetes
(noun): a disease in which people do
not produce a chemical called insulin
effectively and must limit their sugar
intake
(sustantivo): una enfermedad en la
cual la gente no produce una
sustancia llamada insulina y debe
limitar su ingesta de azúcar
endeavors
esfuerzos
(noun) attempts to achieve goals
(sustantivo): intentos por lograr un
objetivo
endocrine system
sistema endocrino
(noun): the system that secretes
hormones and chemical products
(sustantivo): el sistema que secreta
hormonas y productos químicos
glucose
glucosa
(noun): blood sugar
(sustantivo): azúcar en la sangre
glycogen
glucógeno
(noun): stored glucose
(sustantivo): glucosa almacenada
homeostasis
homeostasis
(noun): the tendency of a system,
including human, to maintain an
internal stability
(sustantivo): la tendencia de un
sistema, incluyendo humanos, de
mantener una estabilidad interna
hormones
hormonas
(noun): a chemical that is a
messenger for body systems
(sustantivo): un químico que envía
mensajes a los sistemas del cuerpo
Vocabulary
© 2016 ThinkCERCA.com, Inc.
continued
hypoglycemia
hipoglucemia
(noun): low blood sugar in the
bloodstream
(sustantivo): poca azúcar en el
torrente sanguíneo
hypothalamus
hipotálamo
(noun): a region of the brain that
controls body temperature, thirst,
hunger and other systems
(sustantivo): una región del cerebro
que controla la temperatura corporal,
la sed, el hambre y otros sistemas
insulin
insulina
(noun): a hormone produced in the
pancreas that regulates blood sugar
levels
(sustantivo): hormona producida en
el páncreas que regula los niveles de
azúcar en la sangre
nervous system
sistema nervioso
(noun) the system of nerves in the
body that sends the messages that
control movement and feeling
between the brain and other parts of
the body
(sustantivo): sistema de nervios en el
cuerpo que envía mensajes que
controlan el movimiento y la
sensación entre el cerebro y otras
partes del cuerpo
neurons
neuronas
(noun): cells that carry messages
between the brain and other parts of
the body
(sustantivo): células que llevan
mensajes entre el cerebro y otras
partes del cuerpo
pancreas
páncreas
(noun): a long flat gland in your belly
that helps your body digest food
(sustantivo): una glándula alargada y
plana en tu vientre que ayuda al
cuerpo a digerir la comida
predisposed
predispuesta
(verb): liable or inclined to a specific
condition
(verbo): que tiende a una condición
específica
regulate
regular
(verb): set or adjust the amount or
rate of something
(verbo): controlar la cantidad, el
grado o la tasa de algo
Vocabulary
© 2016 ThinkCERCA.com, Inc.
continued
secrete
secretar
(verb): produce a liquid
(verbo): producir un líquido
stores
almacenaje
(noun): large amounts or supplies of
things that are kept for future use
(sustantivo): grandes cantidades que
se guardan para el uso futuro
summit
cumbre
(noun): the highest point of a
mountain
(sustantivo): el punto más alto de
una montaña
type 1 diabetes
diabetes tipo 1
(noun): a disease in which people do
not produce insulin
(sustantivo): una enfermedad por la
cual las personas no producen
insulina
type 2 diabetes
diabetes tipo 2
(noun): a disease in which people’s
bodies do not use insulin properly
(sustantivo): una enfermedad por la
cual las personas no utilizan la
insulina adecuadamente
LESSON TITLE
Homeostasis: The Greatest Achievement
CERCA QUESTION
How does homeostasis maintain glucose levels? What happens when those systems malfunction?
¿Cómo ayuda la homeostasis a mantener una temperatura corporal adecuada? ¿Qué sucede cuando
este sistema no funciona bien?
Summary
Your body is always working hard to keep a stable internal environment.
This process, called homeostasis, is what helps your body adjust to different
environments and to the different demands you place on it. Homeostasis explains
how your blood sugar levels adapt to differing needs from one moment to the
next. However, when your body runs out of its store of glucose, homeostasis
starts breaking down. The process of homeostasis is also not able to keep blood
sugar at proper levels in the bodies of people with type 1 diabetes.
Tu cuerpo siempre está trabajando para mantener su ambiente interno
estable. Este proceso, llamado homeostasis, es lo que ayuda a tu cuerpo a
ajustarse a diferentes ambientes y a las diferentes demandas que le haces. La
homeostasis explica cómo tus niveles de azúcar en la sangre pueden adaptarse
a las diferentes necesidades de un momento al otro. Sin embargo, cuando tu
cuerpo tiene poca glucosa, la homeostasis comienza a fallar. El proceso de
homeostasis tampoco es capaz de mantener niveles apropiados de azúcar en la
sangre de personas con diabetes tipo 1.
© 2016 ThinkCERCA.com, Inc.
LESSON
CERCA QUESTION
Homeostasis: The Greatest Achievement
How does homeostasis maintain glucose levels? What happens when those systems malfunction?
Summary
Your body is always working hard to keep a stable internal
environment. This process, called homeostasis, is what helps your body
adjust to different environments and to the different demands you place
on it. Homeostasis explains how your blood sugar levels adapt to differing
needs from one moment to the next. However, when your body runs out
of its store of glucose, homeostasis starts breaking down. The process of
homeostasis is also not able to keep blood sugar at proper levels in the
bodies of people with type 1 diabetes.
© 2016 ThinkCERCA.com,
Inc.
LESSON
CERCA QUESTION
Homeostasis: The Greatest Achievement
How does homeostasis maintain glucose levels? What happens when those systems malfunction?
4
Summarize
This article explains the process involved in _________________ by
________________________.
It describes how when this process fails, __________________.
It provides a breakdown of the different characteristics of
_____________________ and ___________________.
5
Build Your Argument
Claim Under normal conditions, homeostasis [maintains / does not
maintain] glucose levels in the body.
Reason This is true because the body controls glucose levels
according to _____________________________________________.
Evidence One example of this is the way in which with initial
movement, the body gets its energy from
____________________________________________________, but once that
is used up, _____________________________________________________.
Reasoning This shows how ______________________________________.
© 2016 ThinkCERCA.com,
Inc.
LESSON
CERCA QUESTION
Homeostasis: The Greatest Achievement
How does homeostasis maintain glucose levels? What happens when those systems malfunction?
5
Build Your Argument
Claim Under normal circumstances, homeostasis [maintains /
does not maintain] glucose levels in the body
Reason because ______________________.
Evidence One example of this is the way in which with initial
movement, the body gets its energy
___________________________________, but then
_____________________________________________________.
Reasoning This shows how ____________________________ by
_________________________________________________________.
Evidence When these systems break down
___________________________________________________________.
Reasoning This shows that
__________________________________________________________.
6
Create Your CERCA
Under normal conditions, homeostasis does a(n) [excellent / poor ]
job of maintaining the body’s glucose levels, however this system
[does / does not] function properly when ___________________ or in
the bodies of people with type 1 diabetes.
© 2016 ThinkCERCA.com,
Inc.