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

Nervous system, reflexes and hormones

Human body and health

CCSS NGSS.MS-LS1-8CCSS NGSS.HS-LS1-3England: KS4 Combined Science: Coordination and control

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Nervous system, reflexes and hormones.

  • 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: Cells, tissues, organs and organ systems

Leads to: Homeostasis and negative feedback loops; Reflex arcs and reaction times; Endocrine glands and the hormones they release

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 (Cells, tissues, organs and organ systems). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which organ system includes this part: veins? (nervous system / circulatory system / skeletal system / respiratory system) → circulatory systemPrompt: What job does this part do?
  2. The stomach contains muscle tissue, glandular tissue and lining tissue. So the stomach is… (an organism / an organ / a cell / a tissue) → an organPrompt: Several tissues working together make one of these.
  3. Which organ system includes this part: brain? (skeletal system / respiratory system / circulatory system / nervous system) → nervous systemPrompt: What job does this part do?

Hook · 5 min

  • Ask everyone to find their pulse, then jump for 30 seconds and find it again.
  • Share the objective: Nervous system, reflexes and hormones. 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: Why are reflexes useful?
  • Step 1: Reflexes skip conscious thought, so we react quickly to danger.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: They are fast and automatic, protecting the body from harm
  • Answer: They are fast and automatic, protecting the body from harm
  • 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. Compared with nerves, hormones usually act… (only in the brain / faster and for a shorter time / exactly the same way / more slowly but for longer) → more slowly but for longerPrompt: Blood travels more slowly than an electrical impulse.
  2. Coordination and control: which statement is true? (Reflex actions are controlled by conscious thought. / Type 1 diabetes happens when the pancreas makes too little insulin. / Hormones travel along nerves. / Insulin raises blood glucose.) → Type 1 diabetes happens when the pancreas makes too little insulin.Prompt: Nerves carry electrical impulses; hormones are chemicals.

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 5 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. Coordination and control: which statement is true? (Normal human body temperature is about 37 °C. / Reflex actions are controlled by conscious thought. / Insulin raises blood glucose. / Hormones travel along nerves.) → Normal human body temperature is about 37 °C.Prompt: Nerves carry electrical impulses; hormones are chemicals.
  2. Compared with nerves, hormones usually act… (exactly the same way / faster and for a shorter time / more slowly but for longer / only in the brain) → more slowly but for longerPrompt: Blood travels more slowly than an electrical impulse.

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: Cells, tissues, organs and organ systems.
  • 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

  • Move on to: Homeostasis and negative feedback loops; Reflex arcs and reaction times; Endocrine glands and the hormones they release.
  • 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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Nervous system, reflexes and hormones

Name

Date

Score/ 5

  1. Question 1

    Why are reflexes useful?

    • A. They are slow and careful
    • B. They only happen when we sleep
    • C. They let us think carefully first
    • D. They are fast and automatic, protecting the body from harm

  2. Question 2

    Coordination and control: which statement is true?

    • A. Normal human body temperature is about 37 °C.
    • B. Reflex actions are controlled by conscious thought.
    • C. Hormones travel along nerves.
    • D. Insulin raises blood glucose.

  3. Question 3

    How do hormones travel around the body?

    • A. through the bones
    • B. through the air
    • C. in the blood
    • D. along nerves as electrical impulses

  4. Question 4

    Which hormone lowers blood glucose concentration?

    • A. oestrogen (estrogen)
    • B. insulin
    • C. adrenaline (epinephrine)
    • D. testosterone

  5. Question 5

    Compared with nerves, hormones usually act…

    • A. exactly the same way
    • B. faster and for a shorter time
    • C. more slowly but for longer
    • D. only in the brain

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Answer key: Nervous system, reflexes and hormones

  1. 1. D. They are fast and automatic, protecting the body from harm

  2. 2. A. Normal human body temperature is about 37 °C.

  3. 3. C. in the blood

  4. 4. B. insulin

  5. 5. C. more slowly but for longer