Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Human Physical Characteristics

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The objectives stage is crucial to establish a clear foundation of what is expected of students during the lesson. By defining specific and measurable objectives, students can focus their efforts on the proposed goals, facilitating the practical application of the concepts studied at home. This clarity helps guide discussions and activities in class, ensuring that time is used effectively and that all students actively participate in the learning process.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to identify and describe different physical characteristics of human beings, promoting recognition of diversity and appreciation of individual differences.

2. Develop the ability of respect and empathy through understanding and acceptance of the physical variations present in humanity.

Side Objectives:

1. Stimulate curiosity and questioning about human physical diversity.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction stage aims to engage students and connect them with the theme of the lesson, using problem situations that stimulate critical thinking and the practical application of prior knowledge. Additionally, by contextualizing the topic with everyday examples and curiosities, this stage seeks to spark students' interest and demonstrate the relevance of studying human physical characteristics in various real situations.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are at a party with many people and need to find your brother, but he is among strangers. How would you use the physical characteristics of the people to identify him?

2. Think about how police officers use the physical characteristics of suspects to identify and capture criminals. What would be the most useful characteristics in such situations?

Contextualization

The physical characteristics of human beings, such as height, skin color, eyes, and hair, are visible to all but not always understood in all their complexity. Exploring this diversity not only enriches our knowledge but also helps to promote acceptance and mutual respect. Furthermore, understanding how these characteristics are used in daily life, such as in descriptions to find missing people or in criminal investigations, shows the practical importance of this knowledge.

Development

Duration: (75 - 85 minutes)

The development stage aims to practically apply the knowledge acquired about human physical characteristics. Through playful and collaborative activities, students will have the opportunity to explore physical diversity in a dynamic way, promoting observation, empathy, and appreciation of differences. Each proposed activity aims to reinforce learning in an interactive manner, promoting the active participation of all students and stimulating creativity and teamwork.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Characteristics Detective

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop observation and description skills of physical characteristics and promote teamwork.

- Description: In this activity, students will become detectives and use their observation skills to identify physical characteristics of different people. They will be formed into groups of up to 5 students, and each group will receive a list of characteristics (hair color, height, eye color, etc.) and a situation to solve (identify a 'suspect', find someone in the crowd, etc.).

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute the lists of characteristics and situations to each group.

• Ask them to observe their classmates and note the physical characteristics that match the lists.

• Each group must discuss and decide who in the classroom best matches the profile described in the situation.

• Present their choices and justify them based on the observations made.

Activity 2 - Creating the Perfect Friend

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Stimulate recognition of the diversity of characteristics and promote reflection on the importance of differences.

- Description: Students, in groups, will receive cards with different physical characteristics (blonde hair, brown eyes, etc.) and must combine these characteristics to 'create' the perfect friend. Each group will discuss and draw the friend, considering not only the characteristics but also the personality they believe this friend would have.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students and distribute cards with different physical characteristics.

• Students should discuss and decide in their group which characteristics to choose to 'create' the perfect friend.

• Each group draws the friend and writes down some personality traits they believe they would have.

• Present each created 'friend' and discuss the different choices made by the groups.

Activity 3 - Diversity Parade

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Promote creative expression and appreciation of the diversity of physical characteristics.

- Description: In this activity, each group of students will receive materials such as fabrics, paper, scissors, and glue to create a 'figure' that represents the diversity of human physical characteristics. They should build a figure that is a mix of all the characteristics discussed in the class.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute the necessary materials for construction.

• The groups build a figure that represents the diversity of human physical characteristics.

• Each group presents its figure, explaining the choices made and what each part represents.

• Conduct a class discussion about the figures and what they represent.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate the learning obtained during the practical activities, allowing students to articulate and share their discoveries and reflections. The group discussion helps reinforce the importance of respecting diversity and promotes a deeper understanding of the implications of physical characteristics in society. Furthermore, this stage also serves to assess the students' understanding of the topic and highlight any points that may need re-exploration or additional clarification.

Group Discussion

To start the group discussion, the teacher can ask each group to share their most interesting discoveries and what they learned about the physical characteristics observed. During the presentation, the teacher should encourage students to explain how physical characteristics influence identity and the importance of respecting diversity. One can also suggest that each group reflect on what surprised them the most during the activities and how this changed or reinforced their perception of physical differences.

Key Questions

1. What were the easiest or hardest physical characteristics to observe during the activities and why?

2. How can physical differences influence how people are treated or perceived?

3. What can we do to promote a more inclusive and respectful environment considering the observed physical diversity?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate learning by making a clear connection between theory and practice and to reinforce the importance of the theme, which is the respect and appreciation of physical differences. Additionally, this stage serves to ensure that students have understood the content discussed and can apply these concepts in their lives, promoting inclusive and respectful education.

Summary

In this final stage, summarize the main points discussed during the lesson, emphasizing the different physical characteristics of human beings, the observed diversity, and the importance of respecting differences. Recall the activities carried out, such as 'Characteristics Detective' and the creation of the 'Perfect Friend', highlighting the discoveries and reflections of the students.

Theory Connection

Explain how practical activities, like 'Characteristics Detective' and the creation of the 'Perfect Friend', connected the theory studied at home with the practice in class, allowing students to apply knowledge about human physical characteristics in an interactive and meaningful way. Highlight how this approach helped solidify the understanding of the concepts addressed.

Closing

Finally, emphasize the importance of respect and appreciation for the observed physical differences, not only in the classroom context but in each student's daily interactions. Highlight how the acquired knowledge can be used to promote a culture of inclusion and mutual respect, where each individual is valued for their uniqueness.