All About the Human Body
Inspiration Book:
Guts : our digestive system by Simon, Seymour — Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2019. 612.3; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.1. Presents a full-color illustrated study of how the digestive system works, how it turns food into energy, nutrients, and waste, how major organs move food through the body, and more. NSTA 2020
Rationale: Seymour Simon has been writing quality nonfiction photo-essays for a long time. And, each new volume seems to be as well done as the first. Each volume has full-page photographs on one side of a two-page spread and narrative suitable for upper elementary students on the other side. Some of the photos use microphotography as is the case with the Inspiration Book. Instead of featuring just the Inspiration Book, this Books Alive post is a lesson plan idea for using all the books in the human body series as the basis of a week long unit.
Grades 3-6--Human Body Unit
Background: At my small private school, lessons about the human are taught, one or two systems per grade level, then tied together in Grade 6. While this unit could be used from fourth grade up, the text readability is near middle school. Thus, my recommendation that this unit using Seymour Simon’s human body books is for the sixth grade. For further information about Simon, I refer you to his very detailed and full personal website http://www.seymoursimon.com
Preparation:
Gather multiple copies of the books in the series from the public library or other schools in your system. I don’t suggest that the classroom buy sets--I’m not a big advocate of classroom libraries because some teachers become very possessive of their books and won’t share and their skill in selection is questionable at times. By having a strong library collection and the ability to get multiple copies, the school library maintains one of its primary purposes as an educational resource.
Gather other books your library has about the human body or a body system. Save these for the second day.
Make blank or buy bingo cards. Prepare human body vocabulary list if using that method for introduction. Gather small prizes.
On 3 x 5 cards, write a body system on each card--enough for the number of students in the class.
Group books by body system around the library.
Introduction:
Play human body bingo as a review of lessons about the human body in earlier grades. Allow students time to fill in their cards with terms they remember about the human body from previous years or supply a vocabulary list from which students make their choices. Play bingo with the vocabulary as the first round. Next round, give a definition and have students locate the term. Third round, the winner(s) needs to mention something about the term that they remember in order to claim the prize.
Have students select a body system by drawing one of the 3 x 5 cards. Gather with fellow group members at book location for their system.
You’ve probably been wondering what all the introduction to a lesson is leading towards.Well, you know that we’re going to do something about the human body. You know which body system you and your friends might be responsible for studying.
Since third grade you have been studying a body system or two each year, but now in sixth grade (or other grade), we’re pulling all the systems together. Your first assignment is to read the book by Seymour Simon that’s about your system. Read it together, round robin fashion. While you’re reading think about how you could share the topic with one of the younger grades. Write your ideas on the 3 x 5 card.
Chart paper or white board.
Day 2 & 3: Research
Preparation: Add other books the library has to each group’s series book.
With the classroom teacher establish requirements for the project and its content. Prepare either a print-out and/or computer screen. Establish a minimum presentation time amount.
Introduction: Has your group thought about how you can share your body system with a younger grade? Here are a few ideas--build a model, PowerPoint slides, interview, drawings, songs, transparent overlays, diagrams, games. Let’s think about some other ideas. (Brainstorm and write on chart paper or white board.)
Your teacher and I put our head together to decide the content and project requirements. (Teacher explains). I’ve added other books to your group’s resources. Take a look at them. Your teacher or I will chat with each group to learn about what you plan to do and the grade level you will be “teaching.” Discuss whether you will be the introduction to the unit, the middle part of the unit, or the culminating or end of the unt. Spend the rest of your time doing the research you need and then begin working on the presentation. Be sure to
Day 4: Presentation to class
Prior to giving the presentation to another class, each group shares their work with their own class. Ask for positive criticism
Day 5: Presentation to other classes of younger students
Related Titles from Simon’s Human Body Collection:
The heart : our circulatory system (Smithsonian-Science) by Simon, Seymour — Smithsonian, c1996 p2006 612.1; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 7.2 . Describes the heart, blood, and other parts of the body's circulatory system and explains how each component functions.
Muscles : our muscular system by Simon, Seymour — HarperCollins, 1998 612.7; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 7.1. Describes the nature and work of muscles, the different kinds, and the effects of exercise and other activities on them.
Eyes and ears by Simon, Seymour — HarperCollins, 2003 612.8; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.4. Presents an introduction to the anatomy of the eye and ear, and describes how those organs function, and some ways in which they may malfunction, and includes information on how the brain is involved in seeing and hearing.
Bones : our skeletal system by Simon, Seymour — HarperCollins, 1998. 612.7; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.6. Describes the skeletal system and outlines the many important roles that bones play in the healthy functioning of the human body.
Lungs : your respiratory system by Simon, Seymour — Smithsonian/Collins, 2007 612.2; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.7. Provides information about the structure and function of the lungs and entire respiratory system, and discusses the importance of the lungs in providing the oxygen needed to sustain life.
Body Sense-Body Nonsense by Simon, Seymour — HarperCollins Publishers 613; Int Lvl: 3-6. Investigates the sense and nonsense in twenty-two familiar sayings about the body, such as "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
The brain : our nervous system (Smithsonian-Science) by Simon, Seymour — Smithsonian/Collins, c1997 p2006 612.8; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.7. Describes the various parts of the brain and the nervous system and how they function to enable us to think, feel, move, and remember.
Other Human Body Notable Science Teachers’ Association Books:
My bodyworks : songs about your bones, muscles, heart and more! by Schoenberg, Jane — Crocodile Books, an imprint of Interlink Publishing Group, Inc., 2005. 611; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.4. Contains words to twelve songs about the human body, explaining the different parts, and how they function, including: bones, muscles, the brain, breathing, the senses, hair, and skin. Includes a CD.
Body actions by Rotner, Shelley — Holiday House, 2012. 612; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.7. Introduces the nervous, skeletal, muscular, respiratory, and circulatory systems and major organs through illustrations of children running, jumping, riding bikes, and using all five senses and explanatory overlays. FREE Teaching Resources available for download at www.titlewave.com
Illumanatomy by Davies, Kate — Wide Eyed Editions, 2017. 612; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.2. The human body -- The head -- The eyes and ears -- The mouth and nose -- The heart -- The ribs and lungs -- The abdomen -- How a baby grows -- The arms and hands -- The legs and feet. "Discover the...secrets of the human body, presented in a kaleidoscope of color by Milan-based design duo, Carnovsky. Use your magic viewing lens to X-ray the body from head to toe. Find out how your heart pumps blood around your body, learn what happens when you breathe, examine the bones of the skeleton, and explore your amazing brain.
Super human encyclopedia : discover the amazing things your body can do by Parker, Steve — DK Publishing, 2014. 612; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.7. Body framework -- Mission control -- Totally sensational -- Power systems -- Fuel and waste -- Defense and control -- New life and growth -- Future humans. An illustrated guide to the inner workings of the human body.
Dr. Frankenstein's human body book : the monstrous truth about how your body works by Walker, Richard — DK, 2008. 611; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 8.1. Young readers are invited to Dr. Frankenstein's lab to help him reconstruct a human body from the skeleton out.
Ultimate body-pedia : an amazing inside-out tour of the human body (Ultimate) by Wilsdon, Christina r — National Geographic, 2014. 612; Int Lvl: 3-6. A collection of facts, photos, illustrations, and diagramsthat describe how the human body works.
Other Useful and Accurate Human Body Books by Body System:
Note: The titles below are part of series about the human body. Series books tend to be pedantic and didactic. These are the best of the series. Since the newest series is already seven years old, I would not recommend purchasing any of the series as a whole. On the other hand, I have not found other series about the human body appropriate for the grade level. This could also be a good time to carefully examine the 612 books that you have for content accuracy and age.
