Summer SAVY, Session 3 Day 4, “Biology of the Body: Exploring Human Body Systems” (5th-6th)
Today, during Biology of the Body, the students explored the amazing muscular system and how it works with other parts of the body to keep us moving and feeling great! We started by learning about different muscles, what each one does, and how they work together. From the muscles that help us smile to those that let us run and jump, the kids discovered how important muscles are for every action.
To make learning hands-on and fun, we demonstrated how muscles contract and relax through some friendly competitions. Using simple materials like string, rubber bands, and stacking cups, students got to see and feel how muscles work in pairs, tightening and loosening to create movement. Our journey didn’t stop there! We connected the muscular system to the skeletal, circulatory, and nervous systems, understanding how these systems collaborate to power our bodies. Ask your child to share what they learned about how muscles and bones work together, how the heart supports muscles with blood, and how nerves tell muscles when to move.
After that, we dove into the exciting and complex nervous system. We learned how stimuli create sensations that send signals through sensory nerves to interneurons in the spinal cord and then send them to the brain. For example, if you feel a spider on your leg, your brain quickly tells your body how to react. To help visualize this, the students created a model of the nervous system using playdough. The models will come home tomorrow, so you’ll get to see them!
Lastly, we really explored the location and functions of different parts of the brain. The learners discovered how many areas are involved in language and communication. Plus, we busted the myth that humans only use 10% of their brains. Our brains are actually working hard all the time! It was an energetic and inspiring day full of discovery and teamwork. Thank you for encouraging your child’s excitement about science. We can’t wait for tomorrow’s adventure!
Here are some ideas for activities at home:
- Muscle Movement Experiment: Use rubber bands or balloons to explore how muscles stretch and contract. Try making a simple “muscle” with a rubber band between two points and see how pulling it changes its shape.
- Nervous System Reaction Test: Have a family member gently touch different spots on your arm or hand with a feather or pencil while your eyes are closed. See how quickly your body reacts and talk about how your nerves send signals to your brain.
- Brain Mapping Activity: Draw or print a simple brain outline and label parts like the frontal lobe, cerebellum, and brainstem. Discuss what each part controls, especially those related to language and movement.
- Myth Busting Talk: Research common myths about the brain or body together and discuss why they aren’t true, like the “10% brain use” myth.
- Movement and Coordination Games: Play games that require hand-eye coordination or quick reactions (like Simon Says or catch) to experience how muscles and nerves work together.
- Create Your Own Nervous System Model: Using playdough, string, or pipe cleaners, build a simple model showing how sensory nerves, interneurons, and the brain connect.
Here are some discussion questions families can use to encourage deeper thinking about the muscular, nervous, and brain systems:
- How do your muscles work together when you do something simple like picking up a cup or smiling?
- What happens inside your body when you feel something unexpected, like a bug crawling on you?
- Can you explain how your brain and nerves send messages to your muscles to make you move?
- Why do you think it’s important for different parts of the brain to work together?
- What surprised you the most about how the brain controls language and movement?
- How do you think keeping your muscles and brain healthy helps you in everyday activities?
- Why do you think the idea that we only use 10% of our brain is a myth?
- Can you describe a time when your body reacted quickly to something? What do you think happened inside your nervous system?
