Teach to Serve

Are you ready to take your students on an exciting journey through the digestive system? Today, I’m thrilled to share a hands-on, interactive lab activity with you that will bring the process of digestion to life in your classroom: the Bread Digestion Lab Activity.

Just a few weeks ago, I led this simulation lab with my enthusiastic grade 11 students, and let. me. tell. you. they were ABSOLUTELY hooked!

There miiiight have been some whinny comments about the vinegar smell (🙃) but some of them also thought that “the mixing (of ingredients) is oddly satisfying!” 🙈

This engaging activity not only aligns perfectly with the Ontario Curriculum SBI3U but also brings the digestion vividly to life.

What you need:

Now, here’s the best part—no need to hunt down obscure materials! Everything you need for this activity can be easily sourced from your local grocery store or your existing lab supplies.

Before the lab:

Leading up to the lab, we dedicated two lessons to cover the fundamental steps of the digestive system:

👉🏽 1) Explain the significance of understanding the digestive process.

👉🏽2) Review all important digestive organs and digestive secretions involved.

I suggest using a summary chart to help students to organize crucial digestive secretions for their reference.

Depending on your curriculum standards, adjust your pre-lab instruction accordingly.

During the activity…

Throughout the activity, I encouraged active participation and discussion among students. Circulating the room, I engaged students in discussions about each step, prompting them to articulate their understanding of the digestive process in their own words. This allowed me to differentiate learning for each student. I was able to meet where the student is at.

I’m a firm believer in the power of feedback. Providing instant feedback via paper or a rubric allowed students to pinpoint areas for review and improvement, enhancing their comprehension and retention.

After the lab…

This is actually my second year doing this simulation! I would 10 /10 recommend the Bread Digestion Lab Activity to fellow educators seeking an immersive, hands-on approach to teaching digestion. This interactive simulation not only engages students but also

• reinforces key concepts,
• fosters critical thinking skills,
• and provides invaluable insights into students’ understanding.

If you’re searching for a dynamic and effective way to explore the digestive system in your classroom, look no further than this lab activity!

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Blessings,

Mrs. T