LESSON THREE: Introduction to Digestion- (What Happens To a Hamburger?)

                             

LESSON DESCRIPTION

The text used for this lesson is filled with science vocabulary. Students practice using context clues to develop new vocabulary. Students conduct a science experiment using the Inquiry Method.

 

GRADE-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS

R1E         Develop vocabulary through text using context clues.

W3B       Identify important information in text.

 

LESSON MATERIALS

§         Source of Literature

o           What Happens to a Hamburger by Paul Showers. If this book is not available, substitute any grade appropriate book about digestion such as What Happens When You Eat by Joy Richardson.

 

§         Supplies 

o        Sugar cubes

o        Wooden spoons

o        Clear glasses

o        Water (amount of supplies needed is based on whether activity is conducted individually or in groups)

 

§         Handouts provided

o        Inquiry Method Activity Guide

 

§         Words to know

o        context clues

 

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT 

Completion of the Inquiry Method Activity Guide.            Assessment            Scoring Guide

 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

 

  1. Show students the cover of What Happens to a Hamburger? Locate and read the title. Discuss the picture. Students make predictions about what they think the story is about.

 

Question

for

students

Where is this story going to take place?

What are the boys doing in this picture?

What do you think the children might be discussing?

How does the author/illustrator use the book cover to get you to read this book?

 Book covers vary depending on the copyright date of your text. You will need to adjust your questions accordingly.

 

  1. Tell students while reading this book they will be introduced to new vocabulary. Use the “Guess the Covered Word” activity with the following sentences.

 

 

Question

for

students

Does the word I am thinking of make sense in the sentence?

Is the word I’m thinking about the same length as the hidden word?

Does my word begin with the same sound?

Are there any other words that make sense and are the correct length?

 

  1. Tell students they will be doing a science experiment as they read the book. Pass out the “Inquiry Method” Activity Guide to students.

 

  1. Students should complete the “make prediction statement” on the “Inquiry Method” Activity Guide and read part one of the text stopping after completion of the sugar experiment. (In some editions, this is page 11.)

 

Questions

for

Students

What do you like to eat and why?

Can you feel your body digesting food?

How does your body turn solid food into liquid?

Why is this process important?

What is this process called?

 

  1. Conduct the experiment:

 

Strategy

Supplies needed; sugar cubes, plastic glasses, wooden spoons, water

§         Place two cubes of sugar in an empty glass.

§         Use a handle of wooden spoon to pound sugar into powder.

§         Pour some water into glass and stir until all powder has disappeared.

§         Take a drink of the water.

§         The sugar has disappeared. Can you still taste it?

In order to see the sugar breaking down, you will want to use sugar cubes not granulated sugar.

 

6. Discuss as a class what was learned from the experiment and how it relates to digestion as learned in the story.