Excretory System Lesson Plan - A Complete Science Lesson Using the 5E Method of Instruction

By the end of this lesson about the excretory system, students will be able to identify the main functions of the excretory system and how it is structured. They will also be able to identify the main organs associated with this system. Each of our lessons is designed using the 5E method of instruction to ensure maximum comprehension by the students. This well-thought out unit does the heavy lifting, giving teachers easy-to-implement, highly engaging lesson plans.

This blog will walk you through each of the steps and activities from the Excretory System 5E Lesson Plan.

ENGAGEMENT

Objective Introduction

At the beginning of the lesson, the class will do a Think-Pair-Share to discuss the objective.

Class Activity

1. Add one tsp. cornstarch to 1/8 cup water and stir.
2. Add ¾ cup of hot water and stir well.
3. Measure ¼ cup of cornstarch mixture and pour into a sandwich bag. Use twist tie to close the bag tightly.
4. In separate glass, mix together one tsp. of iodine 3/4 cup of water.
5. Gently place the bag into the iodine solution. Do not allow the tied end to get wet.
6. Check the bag every three minutes for a total of fifteen minutes.
7. Look for a color change inside the sandwich bag.

Student Activity

1. Ask the students to explain what the sandwich bag acts as. (Filter allowing iodine molecules to slowly flow into cornstarch mixture)
2. What is flowing into the cornstarch mixture? (Iodine)
3. What is happening when the iodine comes in contact with the cornstarch? (Chemical change – color change)
4. Is the water passing through the bag? (No, the bag is not getting larger.)
5. What part of our body filters good stuff from bad stuff in our blood? (Kidneys filter blood to get rid of harmful chemicals found in our body.)
6. Tell students that they will be learning how the excretory system works to keep our bodies working well.

The teacher will then help to clear any misconceptions their students have about the excretory system. A common but major misconception, for example, is that students think that the urinary bladder is a part of the digestive system when in fact it is part of the excretory system. Many students also think that the elimination of stool is part of the excretory system. It is part of the digestive system.

Estimated Class Time for the Engagement: 20-30 minutes

EXPLORATION

This student-centered station lab is set up so students can begin to explore the excretory system. With nine stations in total, you can introduce the excretory system to your middle school students in a variety of ways! Four of these stations are considered input stations where students will learn new information about the excretory system, and four of the stations are output stations where students will be demonstrating their mastery of the lesson's material. A bonus station offers challenges for your early finishers and independent learners. You can read more about how I set up the station labs here.

Watch It!

At this station, students will be watching a short video explaining the excretory system. Students will then answer questions related to the video and record their answers on their lab station sheet. For example: What are the 4 main body parts of the excretory system? Briefly describe how the excretory system removes waste from the body. How can you tell if you are hydrated enough?

Read It!

This station will provide students with a one-page reading about the importance of hydration. There are four follow-up questions that the students will answer to demonstrate their comprehension of the reading material.

Explore It!

Students will be working in pairs to better understand the excretory system. In this station, students will be observing diagrams pertaining to the excretory system. As they explore, students will record their observations on their lab sheet.

Research It!

The research station will allow students to explore an interactive webpage that has students take a scientific approach to understanding the excretory system. Students will be instructed to complete a few tasks and record answers on their lab sheets.

Organize It!

Students at this station will match the sets of cards. Students will read a series of cards and will match the descriptions to their correct labels. Once students have completed their organization, the teacher will check their understanding.

Illustrate It!

Your visual students will love this station. Students are to create and label a diagram that shows the function of the excretory system.

Write It!

Students who can answer open-ended questions about the lab truly understand the concepts that are being taught. At this station, the students will be answering three task cards: Explain the excretory system including the structures involved and the function of the system. Explain how the excretory system works in conjunction with another body system. How does hydration play a role in our excretory system?

Assess It!

The Assess It station is where students will go to prove mastery over the concepts they learned in the lab. The questions are set up in a standardized format with multiple choice answers.  Some questions include: Which is not a part of the excretory system? Which of these activities is related to the excretory system? What is the function of the bladder in the excretory system? The excretory system works directly with the ______ system to allow blood to be filtered through the kidneys.

Challenge It! - Bonus Station

Early finishers and advanced students will love the extension activities in this station. Four activity choices offer them ways to expand their learning through mini-games and mini-projects.

Estimated Class Time for the Exploration: One or two 45-minute class periods

EXPLANATION

The explanation activities will become much more engaging for your class once they’ve completed the exploration station lab. During the explanation piece of the lesson, the teacher will be clearing up any misconceptions their students may have about the excretory system with a variety of materials. These materials include on-level and modified versions of the interactive presentation (may be used individually or projected), anchor charts, and paper or digital interactive notebook activities. If you have students that need modified notes, the 5E lessons come equipped to help give every student access to the lesson.

The students will also be interacting with their journals while taking notes from the PowerPoint. If you have students that need modified notes, the 5E lessons come equipped to help give every student access to the lesson.

Estimated Class Time for the Exploration: Two or three 45-minute class periods

ELABORATION

The elaboration section of the 5E method of instruction gives students choices that allow them to prove they’ve mastered the concepts behind the lesson. When students are given a choice, they’re much more enthusiastic and invested in the project than they are when their teachers choose their projects for them. There are a total of nine choices to demonstrate understanding of the excretory system. A separate set of choices that offer more teacher support are also available for students that need them. Rubrics guide students to doing their best work and assist in grading.

Estimated Class Time for the Elaboration: Two or three 45-minute class periods (can also be used as an at-home project)

EVALUATION

The final piece of the 5E model is an evaluation of your students' comprehension. Included in every 5E lesson is a homework assignment, assessment, and modified assessment. Research has shown that homework needs to be meaningful and applicable to real-world activities in order to be effective. When possible, I like to give open-ended assessments to truly gauge the student’s comprehension.

Estimated Class Time for the Elaboration: One 45-minute class period

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