Summary
| Subject keyword(s) | Digestive system, Digestive system., Ecology, Forestry and Agriculture, Food, Food -- Nutritional aspects., Food consumption, Health, Health -- Body systems and senses, Health -- Instructional issues, Life Science, Life science, Organ systems, Science, Science -- Biological and life sciences, Science -- Instructional issues |
|---|---|
| Grade level | Middle School, High School, Informal Education |
| Intended audience | Learner |
| Resource type | Instructional Material |
| Resource format | text, text/html |
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-Advertisement- About AE About NHM Contact Us Terms of Use Copyright Info Privacy Policy Advertising Policies Site Map Mystery Spot Activities Collections Health Headquarters Resources Custom Search of AE Site A Walk Through the Gut By VivianLee Ward ABSTRACTThis simulation helps students understand what happens to food as it passes through the digestive system. The student has a 3x5 index card representing food, which he / she carries to stations around the room. Each station creatively represents one of the organs of the digestive system. At each station the student is given a specific instruction to "digest" the index card and then instructed to "proceed to the next station". At the end of the simulation, students form cooperative learning groups to analyze and apply the results of the simulation to the human digestive system. ACTIVITY TYPE hands-on activity simulation group / cooperative learning review / reinforcement TARGET AUDIENCE Life Science Special needs (ESL, LEP, sheltered) Special education BACKGROUND INFORMATION -- for the TEACHERThis simulation works best after the students have been introduced to the structures and functions of the digestive system. It works well if students visit each station singly, then form groups of three to analyze simulation; or if students visit the stations in pairs, then form learning groups of 4. The teacher can assemble the stations or the students can be assigned the organs( see ALTERNATE PLAN). BACKGROUND INFORMATION -- required of STUDENTSStudents should have general knowledge of the structures of digestion, the sequence in which food moves through these organs, and the general digestive functions of the organs. PREPARATION TIME: If teacher collects and assembles stations, including directions for each, about one hour. See (ALTERNATE PLAN) for student time. CLASS TIME:For a class of 30: the stations took 20 minutes and the analysis questions required 30 minutes. MATERIALS 3x5 index card for each student 4 pairs of scissors resource materials for each group stations for each digestive structure, with instructions for digestion (you may choose to also give a one sentence description of the digestive process occurring at each station) Each of the following digestive structures is represented by a "functional" construction, container, or diagram which is limited only by your creativity (see ALTERNATE PLAN). Each digestive structure is labeled with name, (function) and the directions for the students to "digest" his/her food. STRUCTURE/FUNCTIONMOUTH: digestion of food begins (starch) ESOPHAGUS: food passes to stomach STOMACH: digestion continues (protein) GALL BLADDER: emulsion SMALL INTESTINE: continuing digestion & absorption (nutrients) LARGE INTESTINE: absorption (water & minerals) RECTUM: remaining food passes to anus ANUS: exit of undigested food STRUCTURE/CREATIVE CONSTRUCTION SUGGESTIONSMOUTH: drawing-mouth, teeth, protruding tongue which lifts ESOPHAGUS: 4" diameter dryer exhaust vent hose STOMACH: hot water bottle with ends removed, scissors inside GALL BLADDER: green balloon with scissors attached by string SMALL INTESTINE: string shopping bag, both ends open (or basket ball net) with scissors inside,inside clear garbage bag LARGE INTESTINE: large cylinder of paper set in specimen bowl with scissors inside RECTUM: slinky atop shoe box ANUS: shoe box with circle cut into lid, under slinky STRUCTURE: DIGESTIVE DIRECTIONSMOUTH: (under tongue) digest by tearing food into 2 equal pieces ESOPHAGUS: pass food through by peristaltic motion STOMACH: digest only 1 piece of food by cutting it into 2 equal pieces GALL BLADDER: cut the 2 smaller pieces into 4 pieces SMALL INTESTINE: digest the 4 small pieces of food into 8 smaller nutrients. Place all pieces in the mesh bag, push through the mesh (and into the clear garbage bag) only those pieces that fit without folding or bending. (The large piece of food moves to the next station) LARGE INTESTINE: cut one corner from remaining food and it leave in bowl RECTUM: write your name on the remaining food and deposit in the rectum ANUS: leave undigested food PROCEDURE/ DESCRIPTION OF LESSONEach student (pair) receives a 3x5 card representing food. This food is carried to each digestive structure station where the student follows the digestion directions, and takes food to the next sequential station. At the conclusion of the walk through, the student has deposited the "undigested" food with his / her name on it in the anus. The students then form cooperative learning groups to discuss and answer the questions. GROUP QUESTIONS What does every cut or tear represent? List the structures of digestion and whether the food is digested physically, chemically (or both) in that structure. What does each piece of the index card that is cut represent? For each digestive structure, list the nutrient(s) that are digested there. What does each piece of card which is left at the station represent? Where do these nutrients go? For each digestive structure, list the structure and which nutrient(s) are absorbed there. After students have discussed and answered the questions (and had their papers stamped), they may use the resource materials to revise their answers. METHOD OF EVALUATION If each student (pair) has followed the simulation directions, there will be an identical piece of "food" with their name on it in the "anus". Points are given for correct procedure. Each student has written answers to the group questions. Select one from each group, grade, and give points to all members of group. (You may choose to grade the group papers before the students revise them). ALTERNATE PLANThe day before the simulation, students work in cooperative groups with one assigned structure. They must research its functions, decide on a way to creatively represent that structure, and write the digestion directions. (You must give the proviso that reduction of the food can only take place one cut per station). Their homework is to construct the structure. On the day of the simulation, the group must place its structure and directions at the correct sequence station. The simulation may not proceed smoothly , so each group must analyze what stations were in conflict, and propose a set of directions which will allow consecutive digestions of the index card. EXTENSIONS AND REINFORCEMENTSExtension: Students may research and list the specific digestive enzymes and their substrates for each digestive structure. Reinforcement: Students select their favorite food (tacos were big last year) and trace it through the digestive system. They can write, graphically organize, or draw the process. Fellows Collection Index Activities Exchange Index Site Feedback Ad Content Feedback About AE Copyright © Info Privacy Policy Sitemap Email this Link Contact Access Excellence Home Custom Search on the AE Site -Advertisement-