Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Human Body: Urinary System

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)

This stage of the lesson plan aims to establish the objectives that will guide the exploration of the topic 'Urinary System'. By clearly defining what is expected for students to learn, the teacher can better direct classroom activities, ensuring that students practically and contextually apply the knowledge acquired about the urinary system during their studies at home. This allows for a more effective and interactive approach, maximizing comprehension and content retention.

Main Objectives:

1. Ensure that students understand what the urinary system is and identify its main components, such as kidneys and bladder, as well as their specific functions.

2. Develop the ability to relate the functioning of the urinary system to health maintenance and body balance.

Side Objectives:

1. Stimulate students' curiosity and interest through questions that encourage the search for answers and group discussion.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction serves to reactivate students' prior knowledge about the urinary system, using problem situations that stimulate reflection and practical application of the content studied at home. Additionally, the contextualization seeks to connect the theme with real situations and curiosities, increasing interest and relevance of studying this system for health and well-being. This approach aims to prepare students for practical activities in class, where they can explore and solidify their understanding in a more interactive manner.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine that a person was bitten by a venomous snake, and as a result, their kidneys were severely damaged. How does the urinary system function in removing toxins from the body, and how can kidney failure in this process impact the individual's health?

2. Think of an athlete who, during a competition, cannot use the bathroom for long hours. How might this affect the functioning of their urinary system and consequently their physical performance and well-being?

Contextualization

The urinary system plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's internal balance by removing waste and regulating the amount of water and chemicals in the body. To illustrate its importance, consider that a healthy adult can filter up to 180 liters of blood per day, approximately 2 liters of which is converted into urine. This system is so efficient that, under normal conditions, we can regulate our bathroom visits according to our needs and daily activities.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to allow students to practically and interactively apply the knowledge acquired about the urinary system. Through playful activities, such as solving 'mysteries' affecting the urinary system, building three-dimensional models, and dramatizing the system’s functions in a detective context, students will solidify their understanding of the components and functions of the urinary system. This approach not only makes learning more engaging but also develops teamwork skills and critical thinking.

Activity Suggestions

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

Activity 1 - Clean Mission: Adventure in the Urinary System

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply knowledge about the urinary system in a practical and playful way, promoting understanding of the functions of the kidneys and bladder and their importance for health.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups of up to 5 people to investigate a 'mystery' in the human body. Each group will receive a map of the urinary system where different 'villains' (toxins, excess salt, etc.) attack the kidneys and bladder, causing dysfunctions. Students should use their prior knowledge and new research to identify the villains and propose solutions to clean the urinary system, restoring its normal functioning.

- Instructions:

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

• Distribute the urinary system maps and 'villain' cards.

• Ask each group to analyze the villains present on the map and discuss their possible health consequences for the mysterious character.

• Students should propose solutions to remove the villains from the urinary system, justifying their choices based on research and acquired knowledge.

• Each group will present their findings and solutions in a creative format, such as a play or slide presentation.

Activity 2 - Model Builders: 3D Kidneys and Bladder

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Visualize and understand the structure and function of the kidneys and bladder in a practical and creative way, reinforcing learning about the urinary system.

- Description: Students, in groups, will build three-dimensional models of the kidneys and bladder using recyclable materials such as plastic bottles, straws, and string. They should follow a construction guide based on their prior knowledge of the urinary system, paying attention to the location and function of each part. After construction, each group will present their model, explaining how each part represents a specific function in the urinary system.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of up to 5 participants.

• Provide recyclable materials such as plastic bottles, straws, string, and scissors.

• Guide the groups to follow a construction guide to assemble the models of the kidneys and bladder.

• Groups should discuss and decide how each part of the model represents a specific function of the urinary system.

• Each group will present their model and explain the functions of each part to the rest of the class.

Activity 3 - Detectives of the Full Bladder

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Analyze the functioning of the urinary system through dramatizations that illustrate the functions of different organs and the importance of coordination between them.

- Description: In this theater activity, students will act as detectives who must solve the mystery of why a mysterious character's bladder is always full. Each group will represent a scene where different organs interact to regulate urinary function, and the other groups will need to identify the causes of the problem and how it could be resolved.

- Instructions:

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

• Assign each group a part of the urinary system to represent (kidneys, bladder, ureters, etc.).

• Each group must create a short scene that illustrates the interaction between their organ and the rest of the urinary system, emphasizing each one's function.

• The other groups will watch the scenes and must identify the problem and possible solutions for the full bladder.

• Hold a group discussion at the end to compare the solutions proposed by each group.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate learning about the urinary system, allowing students to articulate what they learned and how they applied their knowledge in practical situations. The group discussion helps develop communication and argumentation skills, as well as ensuring that all students understood the essential concepts. This moment also serves to reinforce the importance of the urinary system for the overall health of the body and to stimulate ongoing curiosity about how the human body works.

Group Discussion

Start the group discussion with a brief recap of the activities carried out, asking each group about their main discoveries and how they relate to the functioning of the urinary system. Encourage students to share insights and observations that emerged during the practical activities. Suggest that each group presents a brief summary of what was discussed and the solutions proposed. Facilitate the conversation, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to speak and that viewpoints are respected and considered.

Key Questions

1. What are the main functions of the kidneys and bladder, and how do they interconnect to maintain the body's balance?

2. How can understanding the urinary system help prevent health problems?

3. What challenges did you encounter when applying theoretical knowledge in practical activities?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion stage is to ensure that students have a clear and complete understanding of the content covered, linking theoretical knowledge with the practical activities performed. This moment also serves to reinforce the importance of the urinary system in daily life, stimulating students to apply what they learned to maintain good health.

Summary

To conclude the lesson, the teacher should summarize the main points discussed about the urinary system, highlighting the function of the kidneys in filtering blood and the formation of urine, as well as the role of the bladder in storing and eliminating urine. It is crucial to remind students of the 'villains' 'toxins' and 'excess salt' that were addressed in the activities, and how these elements can affect kidney health.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson was structured to connect theory with interactive practices, such as building models and dramatizations, showing the direct application of theoretical knowledge in solving practical problems. This helps solidify students' understanding and visualize the importance of the urinary system in a concrete and engaging way.

Closing

Finally, it is essential to highlight the relevance of the urinary system for daily health. Understanding how it works allows students to make more informed decisions about their health, from adequate hydration to preventing kidney problems, promoting a healthier and more conscious lifestyle.