Information for Teachers

Curriculum links

This investigation is linked to the following Grade 4 Next Generation Science Standards.

LS1.A: Structure and Function

Plants and animals have both internal and external structures that serve various functions in growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction. (4-LS1-1)

LS1.D: Information Processing

Different sense receptors are specialized for particular kinds of information, which may be then processed by the animal’s brain. Animals are able to use their perceptions and memories to guide their actions. (4-LS1-2)

How to search the internet

1 Keep your request short

Fewer words will give a more accurate search.

2 Choose exactly what you want

For example: Arctic Circle Climate

3 Use quotes

Double quotes around a set of words tell the search engine to consider those exact words in that exact order without any change. For example: “Arctic Circle Climate”

4 Use the plus sign (+)

If you add a plus sign (+) between words, the internet will search for all the words. For example: migrate+birds+whales+mammal

5 Use the minus sign (–) to say what you don’t want

Use a minus sign (–) to show words you do not want to appear in your results. For example: if you search for burrowing animals and do not want mammals in your search,  –mammals will exclude mammals. Note that you need to put a space before the minus sign for the word to be excluded.

6 Be very clear about what you don’t want

Part 1
Ask questions and define problems

After reading Our Bodies, you may have many questions about how your body works.

List your questions.

  • Compare your list with questions that others have.
  • Choose a question you would like to investigate.
  • You can work alone, with a partner, or in a small group. 

You may want to choose one or more of these questions to investigate

Q1. What is the difference between the circulatory and the respiratory systems?

Q2. What are the main organs in each of the body systems? How do these organs work? You might like to choose one particular body system or body organ to investigate further.

Q3. How do the sensory organs (the eyes, ears, nose, etc.) work with the nervous system?

Q4. How are the skeletal and the muscular systems similar? How are they different?

Q5. How can we help to keep our body systems working well?

Go to Part 2 Investigate →

Part 2
Investigate

Helpful websites

You may want to use websites to help with your investigations.

Students can use words like these to search:

body systems+circulatory (nervous, digestive, etc.)

body organs+heart (lungs, eyes, muscles, etc.)

Go to Part 3 Record data →

Part 3
Record data

Find a way of recording your information that will allow you to see any patterns in the data.

Data Chart for summarizing the main information about different body systems
(Download and change to suit your information)

Download Chart
Go to Part 4 Organize, analyze, and interpret data →

Part 4
Organize, analyze, and interpret data

1. Look over the information you have gathered and the patterns you have found.

What do most body systems have in common?

What are the main differences between the systems in the human body?

2. Search for other patterns.

What does each body system need to be able to work well?

3. Make notes about what you find.

Go to Part 5 Present and share →

Part 5
Present and share

Look over the information you have gathered in your investigation.

What are the most important ideas about how the systems in the human body work?

Make a chart showing the most important ideas.

Download Chart
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