The human body is a frequently taught science
topic in the early elementary curriculum. The activities in this theme
unit help students build on and extend existing concepts about the human
body. They explore how people stay healthy, the role of the senses, and
similarities and differences between humans and other animals.
Staying Healthy
These activities explore ways we can stay healthy
— by visiting the doctor and brushing our teeth, as well as how our
skin helps protect us from germs. In Community Club, students will practice
nonfiction reading skills as they read for information, use visual cues
and context to read new words, and build sight-word vocabulary. They will
also set up and conduct a simple experiment in Inside Ralphie.
In these
activities, students investigate the senses of taste and smell, identify
and describe the function of body parts (nose, taste buds), and participate
in a simple experiment.
As they participate in these activities,
students will use direct observation to identify similarities and differences
among their classmates (by comparing hair color) as well as between humans
and other animals. They will set up and conduct a simple experiment with
the Magic School Bus kids, identify and describe the function of muscles
and the skeleton, and create a bar graph to record information.
