The+Human+Body

Below, my unit on The Human Body for 7th grade is listed. NB: The unit is planned based on my school's rotating weekly schedule (alternating weeks of double periods). Other than the 3 featured lessons, lessons are planned for 45 minute periods unless otherwise specified.

Unit Plan: Featured Lesson Plans from this Unit:





Areas for Feedback: (1) This unit is meant to introduce the systems of the human body through common diseases, but the introductory lesson is a forensics investigation. It provides a good overview of the body and its systems, but would an introductory lesson that is also disease- based be more appropriate?

(2) I am still debating the diseases I have chosen for a few systems (especially Excretory System-- Kidney Stones and Skeletal System-- Bone Forensics); any suggestions for more interesting diseases that our students connect to?

(3) I would like to scale up student understanding by adding a step of "creation" at the end of some lessons. What kind of "creation" (in terms of blooms) could I use in this unit to allow students to demonstrate that higher level of understanding and allow students to explore questions they may have about diseases?

(4) In the lesson on Sickle Cell Anemia, I am tempted to introduce the genetic pull between Malaria immunity and Sickle Cell, but I am hesitant to introduce this to 7th graders. They don't learn about heredity until 8th grade, but it could be a good way to preview the topic. I am also unsure about how to teach such a high level concept to students with basic human body background. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!

Thanks Alexia