Lesson Plans and Activities
Day One Activities
On day one of this unit students will review the standard and element that applies to this unit. Students will also review and discuss the essential question in relationship to their prior knowledge. Then students will be introduced to the pancreas as an organ in the human body that is essential to insulin and glucose regulation. The students will take notes on the structure and two functions of the pancreas – endocrine and exocrine. While the students are taking notes, we will discuss the associated vocabulary for the unit with which the students are unfamiliar (i.e. endocrine, exocrine, insulin, pancreas, glucose, etc.). The students will take notes using the following format: student name, date, and class period in the top right hand corner; the title of the lesson (i.e. Pancreas) at the top of the page in the center; notes on the left side of the page; questions on the right side of the page; and a three sentence summary of the notes at the bottom of the page. See the example below.
(image 11.07.012.03 is availabler in print form)
After the students finish taking notes, I will use the plates from the Physiology Coloring Book to show the students the location of the pancreas. The students will read the associated text for the coloring page and then follow the directions to color their own pancreas coloring sheet.
Day Two Activities
On day two students will be introduced to diabetes. The students will learn about the two types of diabetes (i.e. Type I and Type II). I will introduce the lesson by asking the students if they have heard of diabetes. Then, I will ask the students if they know what causes a person to develop diabetes. I will then explain the insulin cycle and show the students how insulin is produced and travels throughout the human body. I will use the plates from the Physiology Coloring Book to show the students the insulin cycle. The students will read the associated text for the coloring pages and then follow the direction to color in their own insulin cycle coloring sheet. To ensure that the students have a clear understanding of the function of the pancreas and the organ's relationship to diabetes the students will engage in a role play activity that is similar to charades. The students will act out the following scenes from the pancreas: destroying beta cell; a functioning and non-functioning pancreas; and the endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas. The students who will represent the pancreas will wear yellow, students representing the beta cells will wear white, and the students representing glucose will wear purple. To close the lesson on day two, the students will write a short story that depicts them as a glucose molecule and tracks their journey through the human body. The students will choose to be a glucose molecule in either a person with Type I diabetes, a person with Type II diabetes, or a person without diabetes.
Day Three Activity
My students will observe a demonstration to show how glucose is able to diffuse across a cell membrane. First I will pour about 100 ml of oil into a beaker and then I will pour in 2 g of sugar into the same beaker. I will let this mixture sit for approximately five minutes. The students will be able to observe that the sugar (i.e. glucose) is not able to dissolve into the oil. This will simulate that glucose is not able to diffuse across the cell membrane because it cannot dissolve within the oily portion of the cell membrane.
The students will then design an experiment to show how glucose moves across the cell membrane through facilitated transport across a gated channel in the cell membrane. The students will use the same materials used in the demonstration with the addition of a straw. The expected procedure and outcome of the experiment is as follows: pour 200 ml of oil into a beaker, then place a straw with a sealed end in the oil and pour 2 g of sugar into the straw. This will demonstrate that glucose can move across the cell membrane with some help – facilitated diffusion. The students will conclude the experiment by documenting there results with photos and a written conclusion.
Day Four Activity
On days three and four students will develop brochures or multimedia presentations with information concerning the pancreas and diabetes prevention. The class will be divided into teams of two assigned to one of the following areas of expertise: food and nutrition or exercise and staying physically fit. The students will create a brochure about the pancreas – its location in the body, how it works, and how to keep it healthy. The brochures will also contain a picture of the pancreas – either hand drawn or from the computer. The students will include in their pamphlet healthy foods and exercise routines that will help an individual with diabetes stay as healthy as possible. Teams will be provided with books, internet access, research materials, colored paper, and other needed materials to complete the assignment. See appendix two for a rubric.
Day Five Activities
On day five students will design a menu and create a recipe that will feature ingredients that are suitable for individuals with diabetes to eat. The menu will include a beverage, appetizer, entrée, and dessert. One of the menu items will feature the recipe that the students have created. The menus and recipe products created by the students will be typed and include pictures and step by step instructions for creating the various parts of the menu. After all of the menus and recipes have been created I will bind them into a recipe book that will be used during a parent's night event. It is my hope that the students will be able to sell the books at the parent's night event with all proceeds benefiting the American Diabetes Association. If possible, this event will be held in conjunction with a Parent Teacher Student Association meeting where community members are invited to participate.
Culminating Project and Presentation
The students will culminate the Semi-sweet Pancreas project by getting copies of their brochures and recipe books made and displayed in the parent center at our school. Selected students will be selected to present their multimedia presentation at a parent's night event. The parent's night event will also feature a panel of students who will discuss diabetes and the prevention of the disease. After the event parents will be invited to partake in some of the dishes represented in the students' recipe books. Parents and family members will be able to take home a copy of their chosen brochure for future reference.
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