Our Food Factory

How The Body Works - The Digestive System - explains the parts and functions of this system
Kids Health
Inner Body

Duration:  5 one hour sessions

Objectives:
The student will:

• identify the parts of the digestion system
• understand the process of digestion
• use the Internet and Body Park software to gather information the digestion system
• create an interactive diagram of the digestive system

Materials:  HyperStudio, Kid Pix, PowerPoint, Stack Organizer, Internet

Procedure:

Before Using the Computer:
Students must be trained in using HyperStudio and browsing the Internet.
Discuss the following and determine students prior knowledge:
1.  What does the body need to keep growing and moving?  What things do human beings need to live?  Have students list what they are.  Every body needs a daily dose of food and water.  Food is your body’s fuel.  How is this fuel processed?  This is called digestion.

On the Computer:

1.  Have students use the Internet, research CD-ROM, or any other software such as Body Park, Magic School Bus, etc. to identify the parts of the digestive system and learn about the process of each. (stomach, esophagus, small intestine, large intestine) Students should take notes.

2.  Students use the following web site to continue gathering their information :Brain Pop Digestion Here students will view the digestion movie and then take the interactive quiz.

3.  Have students plan, using the HyperStudio planning sheet, a five card stack that  identifies the digestive system process.  Students should use their notes to complete the assignment.
 Card 1  Title Card:  Digestive System
 Card 2  Stomach
 Card 3  Esophagus
 Card 4  Small intestine
 Card 5  Large intestine

Each part of the digestive system card should include its function.  Students will plan and incorporate their own sounds and animations.

Assessment:  Students will present their card stack to the class using a projector.  Presentation must include the digestion process, labels, and explanation of each parts function.

Home Learning:  Students will review health related articles from the newspaper and/or Internet and prepare a 2 minute presentation.

Extension Activities:

1.  Students can compare and contrast the digestion habits of cows, owls, or other animals.
2.  Complete Digestion Activity Page Brain Pop Digestion Activity
3.  Conduct an experiment to observe how water and minerals are absorbed by plants  Brain Pop Activities

Internet Links:
Check out the following links for great follow up activities or home learning assignments related to the health and nutrition:

Teacher Source
BrainPop Nutrition
Dole 5 a Day
Body Wise Girl Power
Fantastic Food
Nutrition Explorations