My favourite session to teach. The whole digestive process from gum to bum and from chew to poo! I very quickly switch to using the scientific vocabulary, but do allow plenty of time for giggling and squirming. This session is always memorable: I promise.
Videos
Meet the Model
I take you through the entire digestive process with the help of life-size model torso Nearly Headless Nic. Key scientific vocabulary is displayed as captions.
Hands On
Bite, chew & digest the food in this effective but low-tech practical. Brief instructions appear as captions. Full instructions for teachers/parents are below.
Full Lesson
The two videos edited together, so that you can run this as one continuous session. There’s a bit of explanation, then the related practical, then the next bit of explanation, and so on.
Supporting documents & activities
Adults’ Guide to the Practical
ESSENTIAL reading before embarking on the practical. Contains more details on equipment, the method, and relevant safety advice.
Wordsearch
Revise all the technical vocabulary for after you’ve watched the videos.
Crossword
Bumper crossword for lots of technical vocabulary after you’ve watched the videos. The clues are in different forms: standard ‘clues’, code to break (A=1 B=2 C=3), mixed up letters to unscramble, fill in the words missing from the paragraph, and some words to just fit in & write your own clue. Page 1 is the blank grid. Page 2 has initial letters for a bit of extra help. Solution on p3.
Cross-curricular activities
SPAG
Spot 15 SPAG errors in the text. Ten sets of homophones (or near homophones) to choose between to complete the sentences.
Spelling patterns
10 clues to find words containing /sc/ making the /s/ sound, as in science. 7 examples of adding the suffix /ion/ to verbs to make them into nouns, as in digest -> digestion.
Maths
Fractions & decimals, based on the fact that the large intestine is 1.5m long, and converting between cm & m. 6x tables practice, using villi.
Mini ‘zine – digestion
Some template pages to get started on making a mini book about your digestive system, or just use a plan sheet of paper 😉
Mini ‘zine instructions
If you haven’t seen this fun format before…
Do let me have any feedback, comments or corrections, and let me know how you get on. If you’re happy to send me photos, I’ll update this page to share them with others.
If you like what I’m doing and are able to support me to make more, please consider https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ScienceWithLisa Thank you
Science At Home With Lisa 