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Learning Activity #2: Virtual Mind Map & Discussion

Overview

  • Objective: Work in small groups to create a digital mind map of the heart and blood flow. Then, discuss each circulation step and share one healthy lifestyle practice that supports good circulation.
  • Time: Approx. 25 minutes (including breakout/group work and live discussion).

Instructions for Students

  1. Join Your Group
    • Check your assigned breakout room or group number.
    • Your teacher will tell you where to meet (online breakout, shared board link, or both).
  2. Open the Shared Board
    • Click the link below to access our Virtual Mind Map Board.
    • Find the frame labelled with your group number/name.
    [Click here to access the Virtual Mind Map Board and navigate to your groups frame]
  3. Create Your Mind Map
    • Label the heart chambers, right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle.
    • Add Arrows or lines to indicate the direction of blood flow.
    • Add 3 Interesting Facts you as a group remember from Instructional Content #3 and #4.
  4. Group Discussion (Within Your Board)
    • Discuss why each circulation step is essential as you build your mind map.
    • Discuss any interesting facts you remember from Instructional Content #3 and #4.
  5. Optional Pulse Check
    • If possible, find your pulse on your wrist or neck. Count your heartbeats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. That’s your beats per minute (BPM).
    • Type or share your BPM in your group board or chat. If you have time, do a few jumping jacks (or another light exercise) and measure again.
    • Compare your resting and active pulse rates to see how activity affects your heart rate.
  6. Wrap-Up
    • After 15 minutes, we’ll come together for a whole-class share-out or live discussion.
    • Be ready to explain your mind map and any key takeaways or “aha” moments.

Teacher/Facilitator Notes

  • Breakout Rooms: Assign students to rooms (online) or small groups (in person).
  • Check-In: Move between groups to spark critical thinking:
    • Ask: “Why is it important that oxygen-poor blood goes to the lungs first?”
    • Prompt them to recall or connect other facts (e.g., valves preventing backflow, resting heart rate, etc.).
  • Time Management: Aim for:
    1. 10–15 minutes of group collaboration on the mind map.
    2. 5–10 minutes of class-wide reflection/sharing.
  • Wrap-Up Discussion: Let groups briefly present their mind maps and healthy lifestyle tips.

Let’s Get Started!

Click the link above to access your group’s board and begin collaborating on the heart’s chambers, blood flow, and the difference between oxygenated vs. deoxygenated blood.
Have fun exploring how your heart keeps you alive!

The Nervous System

Hi, young scientist! Have you ever wondered how you feel a warm neck, move your fingers to play a game, or miss your favorite song? This is all thanks to your nervous system! This incredible system is like a super-fast messaging network in your body, sending signals to and from your brain. It helps you think, move, feel, and even react—like catching a ball or jumping when you hear a loud sound!

In this lesson, we will discover how the brain, spinal cord, and nerves work together every day. Get ready to dive into the world of neurons, reflexes, and fantastic brain power!

LEARNING OBJECTIVE Statements
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to…

  1. Identify the major components of the nervous system.
  2. Explain how the nervous system transmits signals and controls bodily functions.
  3. Understand the role of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves in movement and sensation.

MATERIALS & TECHNOLOGIES Description
Students or Teachers will use the following materials, tools, and equipment:

  • Printable worksheets and labeled diagrams of brain, spinal cord, and neurons.
  • Digital tools for practicing learned content (i.e., kahoot, quizlet, etc.).
  • Interactive slide presentations with diagrams, labels, and animations to explain the nervous system.

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE & PRE-CLASS Preparation
Students will need to know the following before beginning this lesson:

Students will need to know:

  • Basic knowledge of the human body systems.
  • Familiarity with using online platforms such as quizlet, zoom, and kahoot.

Instructional Content #1 Learning Video of the Nervous System

Overview

This youtube video gives an overview of how our nervous system works as well as provides fun facts about the brain and nervous system.

Instructions

  • Students watch youtube video in class.
  • Students take notes of concepts and terms.
  • After watching students will participate in a quizlet.
  • Once completed they will receive a grade to their quiz as well as read through feedback.

Instructional Content #2 Nervous System Slide Presentation & Quizlet

Overview

Class will follow a slide presentation from an open resources outlining the nervous system, key terms, and important concepts.

Instructions

  • Students will watch slide presentation at group pace.
  • Throughout slideshow students will take notes of any important concepts and terms.
  • After finishing slideshow students will participate in a quizlet.

Google Slides_Nervous System 

Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/711731747/nervous-system-flash-cards/

Learning Activity #1 Reflex Test

Objective

Students will gain understanding of how reflexes work by testing their reaction times.

Instructions

  • Students will pair up. One of them holds a ruler vertically in the air while the other partner gets ready to try and catch it.
  • Partner holding ruler drops it and the other student attempts to catch it as quickly as possible.
  • Students measure how far the ruler falls before it is caught.
  • Repeat test 5 times and compare results from each attempt.
  • Students will complete the following worksheet on their results from test.

Worksheet: https://micromodule339.opened.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/9229/2025/03/Reflex-Test.pdf

  • Teams answer reflection questions:
    • How fast did you catch the ruler?
    • How does this test demonstrate how the nervous system affects reaction times?
    • Why do you think your reflexes helped?

Learning Activity #4: Sensory Scenario Case Study and Group Discussion

Overview
Objective: In this learning activity, students will apply their understanding of the five senses and how the brain processes them by completing a group case study and participating in a class discussion. Using knowledge from the video and article, students will analyze how our senses help us navigate daily life, and what happens when one sense is reduced or lost.

Time: Approximately 30 minutes (group work and individual reflection)

Instructions for Students

Step 1: Read and Watch Before Beginning
To complete this activity, make sure you have reviewed both pieces of instructional content:

📘 Instructional Content 7: “Sense Organs” Article – BYJU’S
🎥 Instructional Content 8: “How Your Five Senses Work” – FuseSchool

Step 2: Join Your Group
Check your assigned group number or breakout room on the LMS. Each group will be assigned a real-life scenario to analyze:

  • Walking through a forest trail
  • Preparing a meal in a busy kitchen
  • Entering a loud school gym
  • Watching fireworks on Canada Day

Step 3: Open and Complete the Group Worksheet
Use the shared class document to guide your discussion and record your answers.

🔗 Open the Sensory Scenario Group Worksheet – Google Doc (teacher-provided)

Each group will answer the following:

  • Which five senses are involved in your scenario
  • What type of receptors are used in each organ (e.g., photoreceptors, chemoreceptors)
  • How each sense helps the person respond or stay safe
  • What would happen if one sense was removed (choose one to eliminate and explain)
  • What part of the brain may be processing this input (based on the video)
  • Be sure to include at least one detail or concept from the video or article in your discussion

Step 4: Class Reflection and Final Response
Once group time ends, return to the main discussion area. Each group will share one insight or surprising idea from their case study.

Then, complete this reflection question individually:

“Which sense do you think you rely on the most in your daily life, and why?”

🔗 Submit Your Response Here – Google Form (teacher-provided)

Assessment Criteria

Assessment AreaWhat We’re Looking For
Understanding of SensesClear identification and explanation of all five senses in the scenario
Application of KnowledgeAccurate references to content from the video or article
Critical ThinkingThoughtful and creative explanation of how losing one sense would change the scenario
Participation and ReflectionContributes to group work and submits individual response

Let’s Get Started
Open the group worksheet and begin analyzing how your senses work together in real-world situations. Be ready to share and reflect on what you’ve learned. Have fun and think deeply about how your body and brain work as a team!

Basics on Human Anatomy

Age Range – Grade 6 -7
Lessons – 4 Lessons

LEARNING OBJECTIVE Statements

By the end of the unit, students will be able to…

  • Identify and describe the major human body systems covered in the module (Nervous, Circulatory, Skeletal, and Sensory Organs).
  • Explain how each system functions and contributes to the body’s overall health and well-being.
  • Understand how different body systems interact to support movement, protection, and sensation.
  • Apply knowledge of anatomy to real-world health and wellness contexts.

UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING (UDL) Connections

Multiple Means of Representation:

  • Use a variety of instructional content, including videos, articles, diagrams, and interactive slides.
  • Provide clear, labeled visuals and infographics for students who learn best through images.
  • Include verbal explanations, class discussions, and written materials for diverse learning preferences.

Multiple Means of Engagement:

  • Offer engaging activities such as group discussions, digital quizzes, and hands-on learning exercises.
  • Provide students with options to explore topics at their own pace using interactive slides and guided notes.
  • Encourage collaboration and discussion to make learning more dynamic and participatory.

Multiple Means of Expression:

  • Allow students to demonstrate understanding through multiple formats, including digital mind maps, written reflections, and hands-on projects.
  • Incorporate quizzes, worksheets, and 3D models to assess knowledge.
  • Provide opportunities for verbal, visual, and kinesthetic learners to engage with content in meaningful ways.

INTRODUCTION VIDEO Description

  • Title: Introduction Video
  • Description: A short introduction of our Micro Modules content.
  • Accessibility: Includes subtitles, audio, video, no imagery that needs describing.

ESSENTIAL Questions

  • How do the major systems of the human body function and interact?
  • What role does each system play in maintaining overall health and well-being?
  • How can understanding human anatomy help us make informed decisions about our health?
  • What happens when one system is not functioning correctly?
  • How do our senses help us experience and respond to the world around us?

INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT Overview
Remember: as per the rubric, you need a minimum of 8 pieces of instructional content throughout your
micromodule.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES Sequence
Remember: as per the rubric, you need a minimum of 4 learning activities accompanied by lesson plans.

  • Activity 1: Reflex Test (Nervous System Activity) – Students conduct a hands-on experiment to test reaction times, analyze data, and discuss the role of nerves in reflexes.
  • Activity 2: Virtual Mind Map (Circulatory System Activity) – Students create a collaborative diagram showing blood circulation pathways and heart function.
  • Activity 3: H5P Quiz and Fill-in-the-Blank (Skeletal System Activity) – Students label bones and joints, complete quizzes, and analyze the functions of different bones.
  • Activity 4: Sensory Scenario Case Study and Group Discussion (Sensory Organs Activity) – Students will complete a group case study and participate in a class discussion. Each group will analyze a real-life sensory scenario, discussing which senses are involved, how the brain processes the information, and what would happen if one sense was removed.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • Technology Access: Ensure students have access to digital tools like Quizlet, Kahoot, and H5P.
  • Engagement Strategies: Use active participation, group collaboration, and hands-on projects to maintain student interest.
  • Assessment Methods: Use quizzes, written reflections, and class discussions to gauge understanding.
  • Reflection & Feedback: Collect student feedback on activities to improve future lessons.

RESOURCES & REFERENCES

  • Slide presentationNervous System Slides & Guided Notes – Human Body Systems Lesson by TeachingWorks – Teachers Pay Teachers
  • VideoNervous System For Kids by LearningMole – Youtube
  • VideoWhat is a Reflex Arc by FuseSchool – Youtube
  • ToolsNervous System by MJ_Hall9 – Quizlet
  • Worksheet: Created by Teacher
  • KidsHealth.org – Basic explanations and diagrams.
  • Khan Academy – Short videos on heart function and circulation.
  • Video: The Heart and Circulatory System – How They Work – Youtube
  • Video: The Skeletal System
  • KidsHealth.org – Your Bones (for Kids)
  • FuseSchool – “How Your Five Senses Work” YouTube Video
  • BYJU’S – “Sense Organs” Article Link

References

[1] Admin. (2024, July 2). Sense Organs – List of Five Sense Organs and their Functions. BYJUS. https://byjus.com/biology/sense-organs/

[2] FuseSchool – Global Education. (2017, January 2). What is a Reflex Arc | Physiology | Biology | FuseSchool [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn2RHLWST-k

[3] How the Body Works (Topic Center) (for Kids). (n.d.). https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/center/htbw-main-page.html

[4] Khan Academy. (n.d.). https://www.khanacademy.org/science/health-and-medicine/circulatory-system/circulatory-system-introduction/v/meet-the-heart

[5] LearningMole. (2022, August 20). Nervous System for Kids | Nervous System Facts | What is the Nervous System? | Brain Facts for Kids [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyVZf_5sDkg

[6] Mayo Clinic. (2013, June 19). The heart and circulatory system – how they work [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWFyxn0qDEU

[7] Nervous System Slides & Guided Notes – Human Body Systems Lesson. (n.d.). TPT. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Nervous-System-Slides-Guided-Notes-Human-Body-Systems-Lesson-12425216

[8] Professor Dave Explains. (2019, January 7). The skeletal system [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-FF7Qigd3U

[9] Visible Body. (2023, February 10). Visible body | The 5 senses – sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQFn3nosydw

[10] Your bones (for kids). (n.d.). https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/bones.html

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