Engagement in 1st Grade Human Body Unit

Intellectual Engagement Every unit starts with a felt need. The felt need engages and anchors student learning to the real world. Felt Need We are all given one body and it is important to take care of it and keep it as healthy as possible. In this unit you will learn about your different body systems and how to take responsibility for your own health. The food you eat, the activities you do and the lifestyle choices you make all have an effect on your body. In a health fair you will guide kindergarten students through different activities that will teach them ways to be healthy.

Intellectual Engagement Children are engaged in writing, which allows them the opportunity to have discussions with peers and teachers to explain their thinking process. Children are currently writing “How-To” books that promote healthy habits. These books allow them to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to daily living. Ultimately, this makes their learning more meaningful. Video

Intellectual Engagement Students read books about the human body and document their learning by charting interesting facts on post-its. Then they share what they have learned with their classmates.

Intellectual Engagement Students make connections to what they are learning by listening to their heart and predicting activities that make their hearts beat faster or slower.

Intellectual and social Engagement Students are able to choose activities from a list provided by the teacher that initiates learning opportunities. Students are engaged as they take ownership and make choices in their learning. Video

Physical Engagement Students participate in hands-on activities. They use “Mystery Bags” to explore their sense of touch. In this video students display appropriate emotional and physical responses when learning. Students perform activities in which they position themselves strategically for learning. Video

Physical Engagement As a culminating activity first graders teach kindergartners about the importance of healthy habits and lead them through a variety of related activities.

Social Engagement Students use tools to foster engagement in the classroom. The “Help Board” and “Parking Lot” are used to help a child become resourceful. Both tools facilitate conversations with peers and adults in which the student ultimately becomes the problem-solver.

Kindergarten Health Fair Healthy vs. Unhealthy Food Sort Social Engagement Students perform a variety of activities that promote engagement. These activities encourage positive relationships. Kindergarten Health Fair Healthy vs. Unhealthy Food Sort Video Pasta Skeletons

Social Engagement Through discussions with peers, students create a shopping list containing nutritious foods. In this video, students serve as resources for one another while doing this activity. Video

Technology Supports Student Engagement Brainpop Jr. Human Body Anatomy App Tell About It Video

Technology Supports Student Engagement Brainpop videos provide meaningful visuals to support student learning. Students collaborate and discuss what they learned and answer questions. Technology allows differentiation for all students. For example, students that are emergent readers acquire knowledge that is beyond their reading ability.

Technology Supports Student Engagement Students work in teams to collaboratively discuss and answer content related questions. Video

By The first grade team