Begin with an engaging discussion on how our bodies fight off germs and infections. Introduce the immune system as our body's defense mechanism.
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The Immune System
Learning Objectives
- Understand the role of the immune system as a defense mechanism against germs and infections.
- Identify the components of the immune system, including skin, saliva, nasal hairs, eyelashes, and tears, and their functions in protecting the body.
- Explain how white blood cells work to identify, attack, and remember harmful germs that enter the body.
- Recognize how the immune system's memory function helps in fighting recurring infections more effectively.
Introduction and Hook
Show the video 'All About Your Body' to provide a foundational understanding of how different body systems, including the immune system, work together.
Direct Instruction
Explain the components of the immune system, including skin, saliva, nasal hairs, eyelashes, and tears, and their functions in protecting the body.
Discuss how white blood cells identify, attack, and remember harmful germs, emphasizing the immune system's memory function.
Guided Exploration
Watch the video 'When We Get Sick' to understand how to care for oneself during illness and the role of the immune system in recovery.
Engage students in identifying parts of the immune system in their own bodies and discuss how these parts help prevent illness.
Hands-On Activity
Conduct an activity where students create a model of the immune system using craft materials to represent different components like white blood cells and skin.
Use the 'Human Body Organs' assessment to help students identify and describe the function of organs related to the immune system.
Independent Practice
Assign students to write a short paragraph on how they can support their immune system through healthy habits like diet and exercise.
Check for Understanding
Have students share their paragraphs with the class and provide feedback on their understanding of the immune system's role.
Review and Reflection
Review key concepts by discussing how the immune system remembers germs and fights recurring infections more effectively.
Assessment and Extension
Use the 'Review – Human Body Systems' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of how different body systems, including the immune system, work together.
Try the Quiz
Encourage students to explore further by researching how vaccines help the immune system and presenting their findings to the class.
