Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Students will be able to identify the components of the integumentary system, including the skin, hair, nails, and glands, and explain their respective functions.
2. Students will understand the importance of the integumentary system in protecting the body from external threats, regulating body temperature, and providing sensory information.
3. Students will explore common diseases and disorders of the integumentary system, such as acne, sunburn, and skin cancer, and discuss preventative measures and treatment options.

Secondary Objectives:

• Students will develop research skills by finding and analyzing information about the integumentary system.
• Students will enhance their communication skills by presenting their research findings to the class.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. The teacher begins by reminding students of the previous lessons on the human body's main systems, particularly the circulatory and digestive systems, which the students have already learned. The teacher asks a few review questions to ensure the students recall the key points from those lessons. (3 minutes)

2. The teacher then presents two problem situations to the students to pique their curiosity and engage their critical thinking skills. The first problem could be: "Why do we shiver when we're cold?" and the second: "Why do we sweat when we're hot?" The teacher encourages the students to think about these questions and offers a hint that the answers are related to the system they're about to learn - the integumentary system. (4 minutes)

3. The teacher then contextualizes the importance of the integumentary system in everyday life by discussing its role in protecting the body from external threats (like germs and UV radiation), regulating body temperature, and providing sensory information. The teacher also brings up some interesting facts to capture the students' attention, such as "Did you know that the skin is the largest organ in the human body?" and "The average person's skin weighs about 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms)!" (3 minutes)

4. To introduce the topic and grab the students' attention, the teacher shares two intriguing stories related to the integumentary system. The first story is about an octopus that can instantly change the color and pattern of its skin to blend in with its surroundings, illustrating the amazing capabilities of the skin. The second story is about a man who developed a patch of skin on his arm that could detect earthquakes, highlighting the skin's role in sensory perception. The teacher then asks the students what they find fascinating or surprising about these stories. (5 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

Pre-Class Activities:

Prior to the lesson, students are assigned the following tasks to complete at home:

1. Video: Students are given a short, engaging educational video (approx. 10 minutes) to watch at home. The video provides a comprehensive overview of the integumentary system, including its components, functions, and importance. It also introduces the common diseases and disorders that can affect the system. The teacher can suggest a video from a trusted source like Khan Academy or National Geographic for Kids.
2. Reading: Students are asked to read a simplified text about the integumentary system. This text provides more in-depth information about the system, its components, functions, and the common diseases and disorders associated with it. The reading material should be age-appropriate and accessible to students at the 7th-grade level. The teacher can provide a link to an online resource or distribute printed copies of the text in class.

In-Class Activities:

In the classroom, students will apply the knowledge they have gained from their pre-class activities through the following activities:

1. Activity 1: "Integumentary System Show and Tell" (10 - 12 minutes)

   • Students are divided into small groups of 4 or 5. Each group is given a large sheet of paper and a marker.
   • The teacher prompts the students to draw an outline of a person's body on the paper, making sure to include the skin, hair, nails, and glands in their drawing.
   • Each group is then tasked with labeling the different components of the integumentary system and writing the key functions of each component.
   • After labeling, the teacher instructs the students to add pictures or draw examples of common diseases or disorders of the integumentary system around their body outline, near the affected parts.

2. Activity 2: "The Great Integumentary System Debate" (10 - 15 minutes)

   • The teacher divides the class into two teams, the "Pro Integumentary System" and the "Anti Integumentary System" teams.
   • Each team is given the task of preparing arguments to support their positions. The "Pro Integumentary System" team will argue that the integumentary system is vital for survival, while the "Anti Integumentary System" team will argue that humans can live without this system.
   • Each team is given 5 minutes to prepare their arguments, with access to their pre-class video and reading materials.
   • After the preparation time, a debate is held with each team presenting their arguments. The debate is not meant to be adversarial but rather to stimulate critical thinking and promote a deeper understanding of the system.
   • The teacher concludes the debate by summarizing the importance of the integumentary system and how the system's absence or malfunction can severely impact overall health and survival.

Each activity is designed to encourage active participation, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity among the students. The teacher circulates around the classroom, guiding and facilitating the activities, answering questions, and providing feedback as needed.

Feedback (5 - 7 minutes)

1. The teacher initiates a group discussion where each team shares their conclusions or solutions from the activities. The teacher asks the teams to explain their body outline and labelings, and to present the arguments they prepared for the debate. The teacher facilitates the discussion, ensuring that all students have a chance to participate. (3 minutes)

2. The teacher then connects the students' findings from the group activities to the theory they learned from the pre-class video and reading. For example, the teacher might say, "Team A mentioned how the sweat glands help regulate body temperature, which is something we learned in the video," or "Team B used the information about the skin's role in protecting the body from germs in their debate argument, which is an important function of the integumentary system." This step helps students see the practical application of the knowledge they've gained. (2 minutes)

3. The teacher then encourages students to reflect on what they've learned by asking them to think about the answers to the following questions:

   • What was the most important concept you learned today? (1 minute)
   • What questions do you still have about the integumentary system? (1 minute)

4. To conclude the feedback session, the teacher asks a few students to share their responses to the reflection questions. This not only allows the teacher to assess the students' understanding but also provides an opportunity for students to learn from each other's perspectives and questions. (1 minute)

The teacher emphasizes that it's okay to have unanswered questions and that learning is a continuous process. The teacher assures the students that any remaining questions about the integumentary system will be addressed in future lessons or through additional resources provided by the teacher. The teacher also praises the students for their active participation and encourages them to continue exploring and learning about the amazing human body.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. The teacher starts the conclusion by summarizing the main points of the lesson. They recap the components of the integumentary system (skin, hair, nails, and glands), their functions (protection, regulation of body temperature, and sensory perception), and the importance of the system in overall health. The teacher also briefly reviews the common diseases and disorders of the system that were discussed during the lesson. (2 minutes)

2. The teacher then explains how the lesson connected theory, practice, and applications. They highlight how the pre-class activities (theory) provided the foundational knowledge about the integumentary system, while the in-class activities (practice) allowed students to apply this knowledge in creative and collaborative tasks. The teacher also points out how the debate activity linked the theoretical understanding of the system's importance with real-world applications. (2 minutes)

3. To further enrich the students' understanding of the integumentary system, the teacher suggests additional materials for exploration. This could include more in-depth readings about the system, interactive online resources to learn about the system's functions and common diseases, and documentaries or videos that provide a visual understanding of the system. The teacher could also recommend hands-on activities, like creating a model of the skin or conducting simple experiments to understand how the skin protects the body. (1 minute)

4. Lastly, the teacher emphasizes the importance of the integumentary system in everyday life. They explain how the system's functions, such as protection against external threats and regulation of body temperature, are crucial for our survival and well-being. The teacher also highlights the significance of taking care of our skin and overall health to prevent diseases and disorders related to the integumentary system. They encourage students to apply the knowledge they've gained to make informed decisions about their health and to share this knowledge with their friends and family. (1 minute)

By the end of the conclusion, students should have a clear and comprehensive understanding of the integumentary system, its functions, and its importance. They should also feel inspired to further explore the topic and to apply their knowledge in their daily lives.