• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (The digestive system; Human organ systems and how they work together). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which organ system is this: kidneys and bladder? (respiratory system / nervous system / excretory (urinary) system / digestive system) → excretory (urinary) systemPrompt: Think about the main job: transport, gas exchange, digestion, control, movement or removing waste.
2. What is the main job of the large intestine? (to make saliva / to chew food / to pump blood / to absorb water) → to absorb waterPrompt: What is left after the nutrients are taken out?
3. Which organ system is this: bones, joints and muscles? (circulatory system / skeletal and muscular systems / digestive system / nervous system) → skeletal and muscular systemsPrompt: Think about the main job: transport, gas exchange, digestion, control, movement or removing waste.

• Ask everyone to find their pulse, then jump for 30 seconds and find it again.
• Share the objective: Trace a meal through the digestive system. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: What pushes food along the oesophagus (esophagus), even if you are upside down?
• Step 1: Peristalsis is muscle squeezing that moves food along the gut.
• Step 2: So the answer is: waves of muscle contraction (peristalsis)
• Answer: waves of muscle contraction (peristalsis)
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Where are most digested food molecules absorbed into the blood? (oesophagus (esophagus) / small intestine / stomach / large intestine) → small intestinePrompt: This organ is lined with millions of villi.
2. Food has just left the large intestine. Where does it go next? (small intestine / mouth / oesophagus (esophagus) / anus) → anusPrompt: Digestion and absorption happen before water is removed.

• 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.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Food has just left the mouth. Where does it go next? (oesophagus (esophagus) / large intestine / anus / stomach) → oesophagus (esophagus)Prompt: Digestion and absorption happen before water is removed.
2. Where are most digested food molecules absorbed into the blood? (oesophagus (esophagus) / small intestine / stomach / large intestine) → small intestinePrompt: This organ is lined with millions of villi.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-7.