Easy Laboratory Experiments for Kids Immune Cells
I love teaching the immune system lesson and other body systems! The immune system is such an important body system to teach your students. As I am writing this post in 2022, I realize how many of my middle school students really do not have a clue about how their body works, and it's SUCH an important time to be knowledgeable with all of the information going around.
I think it's crucial that they know what happens when their body is invaded by a pathogen.
They can learn things like:
- Why would it be alright to let a low grade fever run its course without taking medicine?
- Why do I have all of this snot in my nose?
- Why do I have allergies?
Teaching the immune system and other body systems is pretty awesome just for the simple fact that it's super relatable to the students. It's easier to hook them in!
I'm also a little biased with these topics. Human biology just happens to be my all-time favorite science subject!
Let me share some ideas with you that you can take to your class immune system lesson plans!
Hook Students In!
I'm a huge believer in hooking students into every lesson. Although I love biology, it just may not be the students' thing, so it has to be sold to them!
As mentioned, body systems are super relatable.
Here is an immune system class activity! One way to get them hooked in is just to have a discussion, but before, have students brainstorm some ways that their body reacts to when they get sick or hurt.
Here are some ideas that they may come up with:
- sick: fever, coughing, snotty nose, stuffy nose, stomach issues, fatigue, sweating, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, sore throat, sneezing, etc.
- hurt: bleeding, pain, stress, swelling, redness, pus, etc.
There are so many phenomena that you can bring in. You can have them to ponder questions such as:
- Why does your temperature rise when you are sick?
- Why do you just want to sleep when you don't feel good?
- Why does your ankle swell after you twist it?
Once their interest is peaked, it's time to get into the content!
Immune System Online Activity – Time to Teach!
If you know me, you know that I love digital interactive lessons! They are a great teaching tool because they focus on reducing cognitive load. If students are overwhelmed with a bunch of information at one time, the cognitive load is too great, and they will end up not learning anything at all.
This immune system interactive activity and lesson is perfect for middle school. It is a no-prep lesson with engaging interactive activities included inside.
This lesson covers the immune system, pathogens, how diseases are transmitted, leukocytes, lymphocytes, antigens, antibodies, non-specific and specific immunity, phagocytes, natural killer cells, the inflammatory response, vaccines, autoimmune disease, the immune system three lines of defense, and SO much more!
To reduce cognitive load, there are interactive activities embedded for students to process the information that they just read or reviewed. There are drag-and-drop activities, activities to type out, chances to explore outside resources, and more!
In addition, at the very beginning of the lesson, there is a pre-assessment!
There are SO many ways that this lesson can be used.
I think this is great for flipped classrooms, as an independent or partner exploration, and can even be used as direct instruction!
This is a lesson and activity in one. I'm all about ditching the immune system activity worksheets and doing something digital! The less paper in my life to grade, the better!
Immune System Simulation Activity – Time to Explore!
After students have had a chance to learn the content and vocabulary involved in the immune system, it's time to add an immune system lab activity.
I found this awesome activity online:
Antibody Attack!
In this activity, students explore how their immune system searches and attacks different pathogens. Also, it looks at how your body prepares for future attacks!
You just need the printouts provided in the lesson plan, cardstock or construction paper, black markers, scissors, a plastic garbage bag, and an open space to work!
I like how it gives tips on how it relates to other related topics such as multicellular organisms and different organ systems.
This is a great extension for student learning and gives them the hands-on experience needed for this topic.
More Resources to Help You with You Immune System Lesson Plan
Understanding the Immune System: How it Works
Immune System: The Amoeba Sisters
The Immune System
Help your students master science content!
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Source: https://www.brightinthemiddle.com/3-incredible-ideas-for-teaching-your-immune-system-lesson/
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