Lesson Plan | Teachy Methodology | Human Body: Lymphatic System

Objectives

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to present the main and secondary objectives of the lesson to the students, allowing them to understand what is expected of them to learn and develop throughout the lesson. This initial clarity is crucial to guide the focus and engagement of the students during the following practical activities.

Main Objectives

1. Understand that the lymphatic system is one of the main defense systems of the human body.

2. Identify the components of the lymphatic system and their functions.

3. Recognize the importance of the lymphatic system for the overall functioning of the human body.

Side Objectives

1. Develop research and analysis skills using digital sources.
2. Promote collaborative work and the exchange of knowledge among students.

Introduction

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to engage students from the start, encouraging active research and information exchange, promoting curiosity and interest in the topic. This establishes a collaborative and dynamic environment, preparing students for the practical activities that will follow.

Warming Up

 Introduction to the Topic: The lymphatic system is essential for the defense of the human body, helping to combat infections and diseases. To start the class, ask students to use their phones to find an interesting fact about the lymphatic system. Encourage them to explore topics such as the function of lymph nodes, the role of lymphatic vessels, or the importance of lymph. Ask them to share their discoveries with the class.

Initial Reflections

1.  What is the lymphatic system and what is its main function?

2. 易 How does the lymphatic system collaborate with the immune system?

3.  What are the main components of the lymphatic system?

4.  How does lymph contribute to the functioning of the lymphatic system?

5.  What is the importance of lymph nodes in fighting infections?

Development

Duration: 70 - 85 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to provide students with practical and engaging learning about the lymphatic system, using digital technologies as educational tools. The proposed activities encourage collaboration, active research, and the application of knowledge in realistic contexts, reinforcing the importance of the lymphatic system in a creative and interactive way.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Health Influencers 

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Objective: Use social media and storytelling skills to promote understanding and awareness of the lymphatic system among students and their fictitious followers.

- Description: Students will become digital influencers and create content for an awareness campaign about the lymphatic system. Using social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, groups will produce posts, stories, and explanatory videos about the importance of the lymphatic system, its components, and how it protects the body against diseases.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Explain that each group will be a 'digital influencer' and that their mission is to create an educational campaign about the lymphatic system.

• The groups must create at least three types of content (carousel post, story, and short video) using editing apps and social media.

• Each group must address at least three specific topics: lymph nodes, lymph, and the immune function of the lymphatic system.

• Students should choose one social media platform (Instagram or TikTok) and plan how they will distribute the content over a fictional week.

• Ask the groups to present their content to the class by projecting it on the computer screen or sharing the link to their posts.

Activity 2 - Mission: Defend the Body 隸‍♂️隸‍♀️

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Objective: Foster a deep and practical understanding of the functioning of the lymphatic system through gamification and simulation of immune defense.

- Description: Students will participate in a simulation game where they must defend the human body against invaders (pathogens) using the lymphatic system. They will use online simulation software that allows them to visualize and interact with the functions of the different components of the lymphatic system.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Each group will access online simulation software about the lymphatic system (for example, an educational app or specialized website).

• Explain the rules of the game: students must use the components of the lymphatic system (lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, lymph) to protect the body from a series of pathogens presented in the simulation.

• Students must make decisions on how to position and activate the different components to maximize the body's defense.

• During the activity, each group will record their strategies and the results achieved in a shared document (e.g., Google Docs).

• At the end, groups will present their strategies and discuss what they learned about the functioning of the lymphatic system.

Activity 3 - Lymphatic Detectives ️‍♂️️‍♀️

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Objective: Develop research and critical analysis skills, connecting theories about the lymphatic system to practical and real cases of diseases and treatments.

- Description: Students will become detectives investigating a fictitious case of a disease caused by problems in the lymphatic system. Using online resources, such as videos, articles, and medical databases, groups must diagnose the disease, explain its relation to the lymphatic system, and propose an appropriate treatment.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Present a fictitious case of a patient with symptoms related to problems in the lymphatic system (for example, swelling of lymph nodes, fever, fatigue).

• Students must use phones and computers to research possible diseases related to the lymphatic system based on the presented symptoms.

• Each group must diagnose the disease, explaining in detail how it affects the lymphatic system and why it causes the reported symptoms.

• Then, the groups must research and propose an appropriate treatment, justifying their choices based on reliable sources.

• The groups should compile their findings into a presentation (e.g., slides in Google Slides) and share with the class.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate learning, allowing students to reflect on their experiences and share knowledge and insights. Group discussion and 360° feedback promote a collaborative and respectful environment, where students can evaluate their own contributions and those of their peers, enhancing social and communication skills.

Group Discussion

 Group Discussion: Promote a group discussion with all students gathered. Start the conversation by asking groups to share what they learned while performing the activities and their main conclusions. Use the following outline to introduce the discussion:

1. Welcome everyone and thank them for their effort and dedication during the activities.
2. Ask each group to present a summary of their productions and their discoveries.
3. Ask targeted questions to encourage knowledge exchange and reflection. For example: 'What challenges did you face while creating the digital content?' or 'What surprised you most about the lymphatic system during the simulations?'.
4. Encourage students to ask each other questions, promoting an open and collaborative dialogue.

Reflections

1.  What did you learn about the lymphatic system that you didn't know before the activities? 2. 易 How did creating digital content (videos, posts) help reinforce understanding of the components and importance of the lymphatic system? 3.  How do you think understanding the lymphatic system can help in daily life and in potential future careers in the health field?

360° Feedback

 360° Feedback: Conduct a 360° feedback step, where each student must receive feedback from the other members of the group they worked with. Instruct the class to ensure the feedback is constructive, respectful, and focused on specific points, such as collaboration, creativity, accuracy of information, and use of digital tools. Use a simple outline to facilitate feedback:

1. (Student's Name), something you did really well was...
2. (Student's Name), an area where you could improve is...
3. Something I learned from you during this activity was...

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

Purpose of the Conclusion: This stage aims to consolidate learning by providing a fun and engaging recap of the main points of the lesson. Additionally, it connects the content with the reality and modern dynamics of the world, showing the practical relevance of what has been learned. It is also an opportunity to highlight how the knowledge gained can be applied in daily life, helping students understand the importance of the lymphatic system for our health and well-being.

Summary

Fun Summary: Let's imagine that the lymphatic system is a big football team! The lymph nodes are the goalkeepers, always ready to block any ball (or pathogen) trying to invade. The lymphatic vessels are like the field players, passing the ball (lymph) back and forth, distributing information and resources. And lymph is the ball itself, carrying nutrients and defense cells throughout the field/body. The whole team works together to keep the field (our body) safe and healthy! ⚽裂

World Connection

Connection to the Current World: Today, more than ever, we understand the importance of defense systems in all aspects of life, whether it's digital security against cyber attacks or biological protection against diseases. With the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear how vital it is to understand and strengthen our immune system. The lesson showed how the lymphatic system is a fundamental piece of this puzzle, helping us understand how our bodies combat daily invaders, just as social networks and digital platforms can be used to disseminate health information effectively and accurately.

Practical Application

Applications in Daily Life: Understanding the lymphatic system is crucial not only for those pursuing careers in the health field but also for anyone who wants to lead a healthy life. Knowing how our body defends itself can help us make healthier choices, better understand the signals our body sends us when something is wrong, and become more aware of the importance of habits that strengthen our immune system.