Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Human Body: Excretory 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)

The objectives stage is crucial to establish the direction of the lesson and learning expectations. By clearly defining what is expected of the students, this section helps focus students' attention on the most critical aspects of the excretory system. Additionally, it sets the stage for the practical activities that will follow, ensuring that all participants have a solid basic understanding before applying knowledge in practical scenarios and discussions.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to identify the main organs of the excretory system and their specific functions.

2. Explore and clarify the processes of waste elimination from the human body, including urine formation and feces elimination.

3. Develop the ability to correlate the structure of the organs of the excretory system with their physiological functions, promoting a holistic understanding of the system.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage active student participation through targeted questions that assess proficiency in understanding the topic.
2. Foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills by discussing clinical cases related to the excretory system.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction serves to engage students and make a direct connection between the theory studied previously and its practical application. The proposed problem situations encourage students to use their acquired knowledge to solve real-world problems, stimulating critical thinking and practical application. The contextualization, in turn, shows the relevance of studying the excretory system in everyday and clinical situations, increasing interest and awareness of the importance of the subject.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are a doctor and need to diagnose a patient presenting with swelling in the extremities, dark and frequent urine, as well as abdominal pain. Which organs of the excretory system would be involved and what type of waste could indicate the possible cause of these symptoms?

2. Think of an athlete who needs to monitor their hydration. How can knowledge about the function of the kidneys and their capacity to filter waste help determine if the athlete is well-hydrated or needs more fluids to maintain body balance?

Contextualization

The excretory system is essential for maintaining the body's internal balance by removing toxic substances and regulating the amount of water and salts present in the organism. This system not only acts in the elimination of metabolic waste but also in regulating vital functions such as blood pressure and hormone production. Interestingly, studies show that some excreted substances, such as uric acid, can be used to better understand metabolism and even diagnose health conditions. For example, alterations in uric acid levels may be an early sign of gout.

Development

Duration: (75 - 80 minutes)

The development stage is designed to enable students to apply and deepen their prior knowledge of the excretory system in practical and interactive contexts. By engaging them in activities that simulate real situations, such as medical diagnosis and model building, students can solidify their theoretical understanding and develop critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills. This practical approach not only facilitates learning but also makes the educational process more dynamic and engaging.

Activity Suggestions

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

Activity 1 - The Excretory System Detective

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply knowledge about the excretory system in solving a practical problem and develop critical analysis and teamwork skills.

- Description: In this activity, students will take on the role of 'detectives' who need to solve a medical mystery involving a patient with abnormal excretory symptoms. The case involves a patient with swelling, cloudy and strong-smelling urine, and pain when urinating. Students will analyze the symptoms, correlate them with the affected organs of the excretory system, and propose a diagnosis and treatment plan.

- Instructions:

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

• Provide each group with a 'dossier' containing the patient's symptoms, health history, and basic test results.

• Ask students to discuss and note hypotheses about which organs of the excretory system may be compromised and what could be causing the symptoms.

• Each group should present their analysis, diagnosis, and treatment plan to the class.

• Conduct a discussion after the presentations to compare different approaches and highlight the functioning of the excretory system.

Activity 2 - Kidney and Intestine Builders

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Visualize and understand the structure and function of the kidneys and large intestine, promoting active learning and creativity.

- Description: Students will be challenged to build three-dimensional models of the kidneys and large intestine using craft materials. These models will help visualize the structure of the organs and their functioning in relation to excretion. The activity will also include simulating the renal filtration process and urine formation.

- Instructions:

• Provide materials such as cardboard, straws, modeling clay, and paint for the students.

• Instruct students to quickly research the structure of the kidneys and large intestine.

• Guide the groups to construct a functional model of the organs, identifying the main parts and how they relate to the excretion process.

• After construction, each group should explain their model and demonstrate how urine is formed in the kidneys.

• Hold a 'science fair' where each group presents their model to the class and discusses the functionalities of the organs.

Activity 3 - The Excretory System Quiz

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Review and consolidate knowledge about the excretory system in a playful and competitive way, encouraging participation and quick thinking.

- Description: A question and answer competition where students test their knowledge of the excretory system. The quiz is divided into rounds of theoretical and practical questions, where students need to solve clinical case problems in teams.

- Instructions:

• Prepare multiple-choice questions and clinical cases before the class.

• Divide the class into teams and explain the quiz rules.

• Conduct the first round with theoretical questions to test basic knowledge.

• Then, move on to the clinical case round, where each team must solve a problem within a limited time.

• Score the correct answers and teamwork; the team with the highest score wins.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The goal of this feedback stage is to consolidate learning, allowing students to articulate and share the knowledge gained in practical activities. The group discussion helps reinforce the understanding of the excretory system, allows students to express their doubts and receive immediate feedback, and promotes deeper and collaborative learning. Additionally, the key questions serve to assess students' understanding of the central topics of the excretory system.

Group Discussion

After completing the activities, gather all students for a group discussion. Start the discussion with a brief introduction, highlighting the importance of assessing and sharing the learnings acquired during the activities. Encourage students to reflect on how theoretical knowledge was applied in practice and what the biggest challenges and learnings were. Use the following questions to guide the discussion: 1. 'What were the main insights you gained by applying knowledge about the excretory system in the practical activities?' 2. 'How did teamwork help improve your understanding of the subject?' 3. 'Was there any aspect of the excretory system that you found particularly complex? How did you overcome that difficulty?'

Key Questions

1. What are the main organs of the excretory system and their functions?

2. How does the structure of the kidneys relate to their function in urine formation?

3. What type of waste is eliminated by the large intestine and why is it important for the body to eliminate it?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The goal of the conclusion stage is to ensure that students have a consolidated understanding of the topics covered, connecting all key points of the lesson. Additionally, it aims to reinforce the importance of the excretory system in daily life and medical practice, preparing students to apply this knowledge in future studies and in solving health problems.

Summary

In the conclusion stage, the teacher should summarize the main points discussed about the excretory system, recalling the structure and function of the involved organs, such as kidneys and large intestine, and the types of wastes eliminated. It is essential for students to have a clear and concise view of the topics covered, reinforcing the learning.

Theory Connection

This section should emphasize how the practical activities carried out helped connect the studied theory with practical applications and real-world problems. Discussing how theoretical knowledge was crucial for solving clinical cases and constructing three-dimensional models demonstrates the relevance of biological learning to everyday and professional situations.

Closing

Finally, the teacher should highlight the importance of the excretory system for overall health, explaining how its proper functioning is essential for maintaining the body's internal balance and preventing diseases. This conclusion reinforces the relevance of studying the excretory system in the context of biology and human health.