Hey y'all, I am particularly proud of this set of activities this week. This set is a bit different, because I will be offering it as a google drive file so you can edit as need be. I have been experimenting with different mediums to create distance learning assignments for students, and I think I am liking google slides the most so far. The immune system is obviously very relevant right now, so that is why we are focusing on that this week. I started this lesson with a brief intro to pathogens because I think it is important for students to understand the different types of pathogens and how they relate to each other. One of my big points that I want students to take home from this lesson is that bacterial diseases can be treated with antibiotics and viral diseases can't. If most people just understood this basic idea, then we would be able to avoid some serious issues in the world. During my evolution unit, I address antibiotic resistance in bacteria, but this lesson really compares viruses to bacteria. After the introduction to pathogens, I take them through a very BASIC take on the immune system. My husband in a microbiologist, so when I showed him this, he started going off on all the immunology pathways that could be covered. I just gave him a blank stare and said "you know this is for 14 year-olds, right"? I love his enthusiasm, but as a PhD, I think he forgets what is was like to be a teenager just learning about this for the first time. Anyway, I tried to keep this straightforward, mentioning the organs (most students understand on some basic level the overall function of the immune system) and focused more on the main cells used in the immune system defense. So here is a breakdown of the activities: Title Slide Slide #1: Definition of a pathogen Slide #2: Table of all the major pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa). Students are to use the link provided to fill out a basic description of each and the diseases caused by each. Slide #3: Graphic organizer focusing on the similarities and differences between viruses and bacteria. It is also color coded. It is filled out for the students because they will be using this information in the next activity. Slide #4: Drag and drop Venn Diagram. Students have a Venn diagram comparing viruses and bacteria. Students have to drag the correct description into the correct area. Students can use the previous slides to help them. Slide #5-8: This takes students through the online cases study from the CDC, called solve the Outbreak. This only focuses on one of the case studies. As an extension, you could have students do more of them. They have tons! Slide #9: Describes the overall function of the immune system and the organs with a diagram. Slide #10: Identifies the 6 cells of the immune system that will be focused on, which include macrophages, neutrophils, helper t cells, killer t cells, b cells and memory cells. Slide #11-12: Students will read the comic created by Arizona State University and determine the job of each of the immune system cells from the comic. Slide #13: Immune System Analogy: Students read the story about a bank. Each part of the story represents one part of the immune system and students must use what they have learned to identify each part. Slide #14: Immune System Choice menu. Students have 3 choices of how they can demonstrate their learning. They can choose to create a different analogy, comic (online resource link included) or stop motion video (resource link included) using the vocabulary used in the presentation. I am having my kids turn this in on the same assignment on google classroom. If you are using a different platform, please change this instructions in this section. That's it! I think the kids will get a great understanding of pathogens and the immune system from these learning activities. If you are interested in purchasing this lesson, please check out my Teachers Pay Teachers Store
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