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Science lesson plan · 10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 45 minutes

How the body warms up and cools down

Human body and health

CCSS NGSS.HS-LS1-3England: GCSE Biology: Homeostasis and response (control of body temperature)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: How the body warms up and cools down.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Homeostasis and negative feedback loops

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Stopwatches, Body diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Homeostasis and negative feedback loops). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. In a control system, what role do these play: a gland releasing a hormone? (receptor / coordination centre / effector) → effectorPrompt: Detect → decide → respond.
  2. Why is it important to keep internal conditions within narrow limits? (So that hair grows faster / So that we never feel hungry / Enzymes and cells only work well in a narrow range of conditions / It is not important) → Enzymes and cells only work well in a narrow range of conditionsPrompt: What happens to enzymes at the wrong temperature or pH?
  3. Homeostasis: which statement is NOT true? (Effectors can be muscles or glands. / Negative feedback makes changes bigger. / Homeostasis uses both nervous and hormonal responses. / Body temperature is kept close to 37 °C.) → Negative feedback makes changes bigger.Prompt: Which part detects and which part responds?

Hook · 5 min

  • Ask everyone to find their pulse, then jump for 30 seconds and find it again.
  • Share the objective: How the body warms up and cools down. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: When does this happen: shivering?
  • Step 1: When too cold, the body reduces heat loss and releases more heat.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: response when too cold
  • Answer: response when too cold
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. When does this happen: vasodilation: blood vessels near the skin widen? (response when too hot / response when too cold) → response when too hotPrompt: Does it help lose heat or keep it?
  2. Why does shivering warm you up? (Rapid muscle contractions increase respiration, which releases heat / It widens blood vessels / It shakes cold air away / It makes sweat) → Rapid muscle contractions increase respiration, which releases heatPrompt: Muscles need energy to contract.

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Temperature control: which statement is NOT true? (Body temperature control uses hormones only. / Sweating cools the body when the sweat evaporates. / The hypothalamus contains the thermoregulatory centre. / Normal human body temperature is about 37 °C.) → Body temperature control uses hormones only.Prompt: Do blood vessels actually move?
  2. When does this happen: shivering? (response when too hot / response when too cold) → response when too coldPrompt: Does it help lose heat or keep it?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Homeostasis and negative feedback loops.
  • Use concrete materials: stopwatches.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-10.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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How the body warms up and cools down

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  1. Question 1

    A student writes "blood vessels move closer to the skin when you are hot". What is the correct idea?

    • A. Vessels shrink and move deeper
    • B. Blood stops flowing to the skin
    • C. The skin moves towards the vessels
    • D. Vessels near the skin widen, so more blood flows near the surface

  2. Question 2

    Temperature control: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. The hypothalamus contains the thermoregulatory centre.
    • B. Vasoconstriction reduces heat loss from the skin.
    • C. Sweating cools the body when the sweat evaporates.
    • D. Body temperature control uses hormones only.

  3. Question 3

    When does this happen: hairs lie flat?

    • A. response when too hot
    • B. response when too cold

  4. Question 4

    How does sweating cool you down?

    • A. Sweat blocks the Sun
    • B. Evaporating sweat transfers energy away from the skin
    • C. Sweat is cold when it is made
    • D. Sweat makes blood vessels move

  5. Question 5

    When does this happen: vasodilation: blood vessels near the skin widen?

    • A. response when too hot
    • B. response when too cold

  6. Question 6

    Why does shivering warm you up?

    • A. Rapid muscle contractions increase respiration, which releases heat
    • B. It shakes cold air away
    • C. It widens blood vessels
    • D. It makes sweat

  7. Question 7

    Which part of the brain monitors blood temperature?

    • A. the cerebellum
    • B. the retina
    • C. the spinal cord
    • D. the thermoregulatory centre (hypothalamus)

  8. Question 8

    When does this happen: shivering?

    • A. response when too hot
    • B. response when too cold

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Answer key: How the body warms up and cools down

  1. 1. D. Vessels near the skin widen, so more blood flows near the surface

  2. 2. D. Body temperature control uses hormones only.

  3. 3. A. response when too hot

  4. 4. B. Evaporating sweat transfers energy away from the skin

  5. 5. A. response when too hot

  6. 6. A. Rapid muscle contractions increase respiration, which releases heat

  7. 7. D. the thermoregulatory centre (hypothalamus)

  8. 8. B. response when too cold