Interactive Projects

Overview
In this activity, students will visit a Web site that offers visual and text information about the eight main body systems. They will begin by choosing one of the systems to investigate. They will then complete a body system profile that will help them better understand the functions and, ultimately, care of this system.

Objectives

• To identify the key organs and other parts of one of the eight main body systems by means of images, animations, and text provided at a site on the World Wide Web.
• To explain the principal functions of the system chosen.
• To discuss ways of caring for and maintaining the health of that system.

Getting Started
Remind students of the saying "Pictures speak louder than words." Explain that they are about to prove the truth of this saying as it applies to human anatomy--the way the parts of the body fit together. Note that students will be visiting a Web site that contains illustrations, animations, and text about the body's eight main systems. Add that each class member will select a body system to explore by clicking on an icon.

To help students become familiar with the way the site works, you may want to instruct them to read the instructions for viewing the images in the upper right frame of the screen. Because some icons may not be readily familiar to students, mention also that leaving the mouse pointer over the icon for a second or two will bring up a box revealing its name. Encourage students to make use of illustrations and animations related to the system of their choice.

Classroom Follow-up
Set aside time in class for students to share and compare their body system profiles. As a follow-up to the activity, you may want to invite interested students to learn more about the care of the system they have chosen or one of the other systems. Have them share their findings in a brief report to the class. Information on care of the various body systems may be found in Glencoe's Teen Health and Glencoe Health student editions.