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12 Angry Organs

Project Description

This project is important because the study of human organs is important.  Knowledge of their bodies affects the health and well being of each student; students need to understand what organs do and how they work together.  This understanding allows them to make informed decisions regarding their health.  The concepts embedded in the unit, structure & function and interdependence, are important to all of science. 

In this project, the students will research the human body on the Internet.  Each student will be assigned one human body system to research.  They must identify functions of the system and explain how it is related to two other systems in the human body.  Lastly, they must identify how drugs and alcohol could affect that system. 

The culmination of the unit will be the creation of a play about the human body.  The class will create a short play that places an everyday individual on trial for making unwise decisions about his or her health.  The trial will consist of several different scenes, including a courtroom scene, jury room scene, introduction and conclusion.  The project will be videotaped and a transcript will be generated.

How do systems in the human body work together to maintain life?

Specific Questions:

• How are different body systems organized?

• What are the functions of different organs?

• How are organs interdependent?

• If the organs are not functioning properly, what might happen?

• How can our actions affect the way our body functions?

• Which decisions are the healthiest?

• Why is an understanding of the human body important?

 7th Grade

Unit Prerequisites

Students will be aided in the project if they have a basic understanding of cell structure and function.  This prevents misconceptions arising as to the interface between different systems in the body and the details of how alcohol and drugs affect the body.

Access:

• Students will investigate web sites that inform them of systems in the human body.

• Students will examine what behaviors are essential for being healthy.

Interpret:

• Students will decide which information from the sites is most relevant to their play.

• Students will generalize the functions of their organ and it’s role in maintaining health.

 Produce:

• Students will create the role their character will assume.

• Students will write drafts for their character.

• Students will revise their roles based on input from the other members of their group.

      Communicate:

• Students will publish the actions and dialogue of their character.

• Students will perform their play for their classmates.

• Students will engage in a final unit reflection.

Evaluate:

• Students will discuss and critique drafts of the play to make the dialogue work better before the actual performance.

• Students will assess their writing and edit in order to create a final draft of the play.

• Students will perform their play.

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