Internal Anatomy: A Fun Look At The Digestive System

Ann Fultz                     Charles Holden Elementary
                              1104 West 31st Street
                              Chicago IL 60608
                              (312) 535-7200

Objectives:

     To introduce, identify, and explain the functioning of some body parts.
     To construct a "living doll" composed of the body parts discussed.

Materials:

     Plastic tubing           
     Baggies
     Yarn
     Sponges
     Fabric
     Place Mats 
     Paper plates

Strategy:

     Using student bodies, students will stand, breathe in and out.  Point out 
the movement of their chest area moving in and out and let them know that their 
lungs are performing this action.  Repeat for primary students. 
     Students will jog in place.  When given oral command, students will run in 
place.  After this activity, students are directed to feel their hearts. 
     Instructor, using food items and/or "fun" materials, will construct a doll 
and introduce, identify, and, explain function of body parts.  
     For example: yellow squash is shaped like the stomach; bananas will 
represent lungs; pasta shells will be small intestines, and so on with food 
items that approximate shape of inside body organs. 
     Students will construct their own doll using fabrics, sponges, and place 
mats to make up the body parts.  This will be a permanent reminder of how some 
of their inside body parts are placed inside of them to perform the activity 
they are responsible for doing. 

Performance Assessment:

     Students have made their own toy.  They have a workable machine.  They can 
see and feel the different textures of materials used for the body parts.  Those 
different feelings will aid them in the placement of the body organs. 

Evaluation:

     1.  Students were able to place body parts on doll. 
     2.  Students were able to identify body parts.
     3.  Students were able to discern that it takes the working together of all 
         parts to make our bodies run.