Investigations in Science 7 January 26, 2017

What we did this week:

This week, we focused on the stomach. To show how the stomach uses both
mechanical and chemical digestion, groups were given a bag with a cracker and part of a
banana. They squished the cracker and banana in the bag, representing mechanical
digestion of the stomach muscles. Then they added 25 mL of colored water to the bag and
squished them again. The water represented the stomach acid in the stomach and along
with the squishing they were able to turn the banana and cracker into a liquidy substance.
We continued to follow the path of our food from the stomach to the small
intestine. The small intestine is lined with villi. The villi absorb the nutrients from the
food and send it to the blood. Students measured their hand with closed fingers and
opened fingers to show how villi increase the surface area of the small intestine. This
helps the intestine absorb more nutrients.
The small intestine is aided by the liver which produces bile to break down fat.
Groups were given oil, water, and baking soda. One beaker had only oil and water. The
other beaker had oil, water, and then baking soda added. Both cups were stirred. They
were able to see that the cup with baking soda broke down the oil into smaller blobs. This
is the same thing the bile does in the small intestine.
The small intestine ended our lab journey through the digestive system. Although
the undigested parts travel to the large intestine and out the anus, it would be a waste of
time to observe (get it, waste, waste of time ;-). Throughout the week we completed a
graphic organizer labeling the organs of the digestive system and their function after
seeing how they worked first hand.
Thank you to the PTA for putting on a great dance to celebrate college week and
the end of the quarter.
Announcements:
Today is the last day of 2nd quarter. Students were given grade sheets and
reflected on what they have done well so far this year and what they can work on for 3 rd

quarter. One big item that we talked about was using all resources to answer lab questions
and not rushing through the labs.
With the beginning of the 3rd quarter Ms. Mason, my student intern, will begin
transitioning into the lead teacher role for her Masters program. I will still be in the
room and we will still be planning together for the classes.

Coming Up:
Topics:

Digestive System
Respiratory System

Dates:

January 26 - PTA Winter Dance at 1:00

January 26 - Last Day of Quarter 2
January 27 - No School
January 30 First Day of Quarter 3
January 31 Digestion Assessment
January 31 Town Hall Meeting - Period 2
February 8-10 MAP-M Testing in math classes
February 15-17 MAP-R Testing in English classes
February 21-March 2 No After School Activities due to Outdoor Education
March 3 Half Day