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The following instructional plan is part of a GaDOE collection of Unit Frameworks, Performance Tasks, examples of Student
Work, and Teacher Commentary. Many more GaDOE approved instructional plans are available by using the Search Standards
feature located on GeorgiaStandards.Org.
Georgia Performance Standards Framework for Science – GRADE 7
“DOCTOR, DOCTOR”
Subject Area: Life Science
Grade: 7th
Standards (Content and Characteristics):
S7L2. Students will describe the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
c. Explain that cells are organized into tissues, tissues into organs, organs into systems, and systems into organisms.
d. Explain that tissues, organs, and organ systems serve the needs cells have for oxygen, food, and waste removal.
e. Explain the purpose of the major organ systems in the human body (i.e., digestion, respiration, reproduction,
circulation, excretion, movement, control, and coordination, and for protection from disease).
S7CS5. Students will use the ideas of system, model, change, and scale in exploring scientific and
technological matters.
a. Observe and explain how parts can be related to other parts in a system such as predator/prey relationships in a
community/ecosystem.
b. Understand that different models (such as physical replicas, pictures, and analogies) can be used to represent the
same thing.
Enduring Understanding:
Every organ system has a specific and unique function that is integral to the survival of the
organism.
Every movement and/or action taken by one organ system is directly affected by other organ
systems. Therefore, when illness or injury strikes one organ/organ system, it effects them all.
Cellular energy is required by all cells that make up all systems in order for these
movements/actions to take place.
These actions/movements made by the organ systems are critical for sustaining the life of the
organism.
There are similar organ systems and structures in almost all multicellular organisms of the same
kingdom that provide similar functions for those organisms.
Essential Questions:
What are the functions of each individual organ system?
How do the functions of organ systems interact?
How does the hierarchy of organization result in the complexity and diversity of organisms?
Georgia Department of Education
Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
SCIENCE  GRADE 7  DOCTOR, DOCTOR
OCTOBER 2008  Page 1 of 3
Copyright 2008 © All Rights Reserved
One Stop Shop For Educators
Georgia Performance Standards Framework for Science – GRADE 7
ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES
Outcome /
Performance
Expectations:
By becoming “experts” about one body system and learning from “experts” about the
others, students will recognize that there are similar characteristics that exist among all
body systems. They will also recognize that when disease strikes one system, it strikes
them all and the body must rely on the healthier systems to aid in recovery.
General Teacher
Instructions:
1) Divide students into groups small enough that each of the following body systems (9)
is assigned to a group: digestive, respiratory, reproductive, circulatory,
urinary/excretory, muscular, nervous, integumentary & lymphatic (together they both
provide protection), skeletal.
2) Each group will be instructed prepare a brief lesson on their assigned system. They
will create either a poster or a PowerPoint (no more than 5 slides) to teach the class
about their system. Presentation should include the following:




Name of system and description of its major role(s) in the body
List and illustration of the organs and/or tissues in this system
Examples of diseases (brief description) that may primarily effect this system
Any unique relationships with another body system (Ex. Respiratory system
provides oxygen to the circulatory system to be taken to cells so they can carry
out cellular respiration.)
 Students should be sure to use any relevant vocabulary to their system.
3) Teacher should be prepared to summarize or add to each group’s “lesson” to make
sure that all necessary information has been covered. Depending on level of student
ability and length of class, presentations and teacher commentary could last from 2-4
days.
4) Student should prepare a unique performance that will aid students in remembering
the important features of their assigned system. This could include skits, songs, poetry,
analogies, etc.
Materials
Needed:
Text and/or reference materials that include body system information.
Safety
Precautions:
None
Georgia Department of Education
Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
SCIENCE  GRADE 7  DOCTOR, DOCTOR
OCTOBER 2008  Page 2 of 3
Copyright 2008 © All Rights Reserved
One Stop Shop For Educators
Georgia Performance Standards Framework for Science – GRADE 7
Task with
Student
Directions:
There are doctors who specialize their practice to focus on ailments that affect a
particular organ system. For example, orthopedists focus on ailments of the skeletal
system. However, they must understand the relationship that the skeletal system has
with the muscular system and the other systems you learned about in the lab activity.
Your group will become doctors of a particular organ system. It will be your job to figure
out all the major components of this system, how they work together, and how they
work together with other systems. Your group will prepare a brief lesson on your
assigned system. You will create either a poster or a PowerPoint (no more than 5 slides)
to teach the class about your system (including what type of doctor your are).
Presentation should include the following:




Name of system and description of its major role(s) in the body
List and illustration of the organs and/or tissues in this system
Examples of diseases that may primarily effect this system
Any unique relationships with another body system (Ex. Respiratory system
provides oxygen to the circulatory system to be taken to cells so they can carry
out cellular respiration.)
 Be sure to use any relevant vocabulary to their system.
 Depending on your teacher’s instructions, you may need to design a graphic
organizer for your “students” to complete as you teach or the teacher mya
provide one.
 Your group will also prepare a unique performance that will aid your “students”
in remembering the important features of your system. This could include skits,
songs, poetry, analogies, etc.
Resources:
Text and/or internet
Homework /
Extension:
Each group designs a graphic organizer about their system presentation. Teacher will
have these run off before presentation so classmates can take notes.
Georgia Department of Education
Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
SCIENCE  GRADE 7  DOCTOR, DOCTOR
OCTOBER 2008  Page 3 of 3
Copyright 2008 © All Rights Reserved