The Digestive System - Lesson Plan

In an engaging and practical lesson plan, students delve into the workings of the human digestive system. The lesson caters to the National Curriculum and is designed for pupils to achieve specific learning objectives, such as naming and describing the functions of the digestive system's parts, and understanding the essential process of digestion. The lesson builds on prior knowledge from previous years, where students learned about the basic needs of animals and humans, including nutrition, and the importance of diet and lifestyle. Safety considerations are outlined, especially regarding food allergies and handling of equipment. Students are also encouraged to correct common misconceptions about the digestive system, such as its length and where digestion takes place.

The lesson includes various activities that reinforce learning through practical engagement. Students work in pairs to label diagrams of the digestive system, conduct research to write reports on the function of its parts, and participate in a whole-class demonstration to understand the length of the intestines. Additionally, they explore the digestion process starting in the mouth using simple experiments with crackers and iodine. A model digestive system activity using household and classroom items like tights and foodstuffs provides a hands-on understanding of how digestion works. The lesson concludes with a plenary session where students assess their learning progress by answering key questions about the digestive system's parts, functions, and the definition of digestion.