Unit 3 Body Systems
Content Area:
Course(s):
Time Period:
Length:
Status:
Science
Science
Generic Time Period
Weeks
Published
Unit Overview
In this unit, students study the systems of the human body, including the skeletal, digestive, excretory, endocrine,
skeletal, respiratory, circulatory, muscular, and nervous systems. Students will learn the important components of
each system, their function, and how the systems all work together in order to sustain life. They will learn about and
identify some problems that may occur in each of the systems.
Standards
HE.3-4.2.1.4.A.2
Determine the relationship of personal health practices and behaviors on an
individual's body systems.
HE.3-4.2.1.4.B.1
Explain how healthy eating provides energy, helps to maintain healthy weight,
lowers risk of disease, and keeps body systems functioning effectively.
HE.3-4.2.2.4.B.3
Determine how family, peers, technology, culture, and the media influence
thoughts, feelings, health decisions, and behaviors.
SCI.3-4.5.3.4.A.3
Describe the interactions of systems involved in carrying out everyday life
activities.
Essential Questions

What are the functions of each body system?

What are the components of each system?

How does blood play a role within all body systems?

How do the systems work together to sustain life?
Application of Knowledge and Skills...
Students will know that...
• 1. organs work together within a particular system
.
• 2. each system has major organs and specific vocabulary:
.
• 3. recommended daily servings according to the food pyramid
.
• circulatory: heart (left and right atrium, left and right ventricle), blood pressure, red and white blood
cells, cell respiration, plasma, platelets, lungs, veins, pulmonary vein, arteries, pulmonary artery,
capillaries
.
• digestive: esophagus, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, salivary glands, stomach, enzymes, pancreas,
colon
.
• endocrine: hormones (adrenaline, melatonin, growth), glands (adrenals, parathyroid, pituitary,
thyroid)
.
• excretory: small and large intestine, kidneys, bladder, urine, colon, feces
.
• muscular: skeletal, cardiac, voluntary and involuntary, biceps, hamstrings, achilles tendon, gluteus
maximus, pectoral, triceps, abdominal, quadriceps
.
• nervous: neurons, spinal cord, brain, peripheral nerves (somatic, autonomic), brain stem, cerebellum,
cerebrum
.
• respiratory: external and internal respiration, lungs, diaphragm, nose, mouth, throat, epiglotis, larynx,
trachea, bronchi, alveoli
.
• skeletal: skull, clavicle, scapula, rib cage, sternum, humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals,
phalanges, vertebrae (cervical, thoracic, lumbar), sacrum, coccyx, marrow, pelvis, femur, patella, tibia,
fibula, tarsal, metatarsal, joints (hinge, gliding, pivot, ball-and-socket), cartilage, tendons, ligaments
.
Students will be able to...
• . build a model of the human skeleton
.
• B. identify the body's building blocks
.
• C. experiment and analyze the effect of lactic acid on muscles
.
• D. describe ways saliva helps with digestion
.
• E. measure lung capacity
.
• F. exercise and observe effects on pulse rate
.
• G. name, identify, and describe the basic functions of the major body systems
.
• H. identify ways to care for the body systems
.
• I. identify problems that can affect the body systems
.
• J. explain how systems are interrelated and work together
.
• K. create a meal to support a nutritious diet
.
• L. compare and contrast methods used to diagnose and treat diseases and health conditions
.
• M. discuss the use of public health strategies to prevent diseases and health conditions
.
• N. discuss factors that influence food choices
.
• O. explain the effect of positive health practices/behaviors on the body systems
.
Assessments
Writing Prompts
Diagnostic: Other written assessments
Weekly journal writing prompts to introduce new ideas. Example, "My foot fell asleep." Why do you think this
happens? (5.3.4.A.3)
System Quizzes
Summative: Written Test
Students will take a quiz on each body system. (5.3.4.A.3)
Labs
Formative: Lab Assignment
Students will complete lab activities associated with the body systems. (5.3.4.A.3)
Body Systems Benchmark Test
Summative: Benchmark Assessment
Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the unit content by completing a benchmark test. (5.3.4.A.3)
KWL Chart
Diagnostic: Other written assessments
Students will write and share what they know about the human body.
Activities
Suggested Activities:
Body Systems Interactive Exploration
(see links)
Body Systems Comic Strip
Students will create a short story about a body system in which they describe the parts, functions, and potential
problems of the system.
Tummy Tales
Students select a food and explain its journey through the digestive system
The Adventures of Yasmin and Jack at the Dentist: Interactive Activity for Smartboard
(see links)
Parts of the Human Body Crossword Puzzle and Word Search
Teacher-made puzzles using unit vocabulary
Pulse Rate Lab
Materials: stopwatch.
Students will construct a table with two columns, labeled Activity and Pulse Rate respectively. Students will take their
pulse while sitting, after marching for a minute, and after running for a minute. They will calculate the beats per
minute and draw conclusions about their findings. They will find the mean, median, mode, and range of the collective
pulse rates for each activity.
Sense of Touch Lab
Materials: index cards, ruler, tape, and 8 toothpicks.
Students will predict which body part (palm, lower arm, or upper arm)has the best sense of touch. Students will record
their findings and draw conclusions.
Use Human Body templates for students to create models.
Real Life Human Body Activity
Students will trace a classmate's body onto butcher paper. As students study each body system, they will draw and
describe each body system in the correct location on their tracings.
Macaroni Skeleton Activity
(see links)
A Look Inside the Human Body
Yasmin and Jack at the Dentist
Students will create a human body skeleton using pasta
Activities to Differentiate Instruction
Graphic organizers
Vocabulary flash cards

Outline of class notes

Student completed and teacher-completed study guides

Modified grading rubric

Modified tests and quizzes

Tier 1, 2, and 3 classwork and homework assignments

Real-world problem solving

Technology project/research
Integrated/Cross-Disciplinary Instruction
Math - Pulse Rate Lab - see activities
English Language Arts - Journal Entries - see assessments
Visual Art - Macaroni Skeleton Activity - see activities
Science - integrate knowledge from other units:

Electricity - cardiac system

Energy - calories

Minerals - bones
Resources
HSP Science Materials Grade 4
Human Body Book (body systems templates)
Glencoe Teen Health Courses 1, 2
NJ Ask Grade 4 Coach Book
Human Body Printables for Teachers
(see links)
Grade 4 and 5 Human Body: Interactive Activities for Smartboard
(see links)
Human Body Resources for Teachers