The human digestive system
I can describe the first part of the journey of food through the human digestive system.
- Year 4
The human digestive system
I can describe the first part of the journey of food through the human digestive system.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Humans need food and water to survive and stay healthy.
- In the mouth, the tongue moves food around, the teeth chop it, and saliva makes it easier to swallow.
- Food is pushed down the oesophagus into the stomach, where stomach acid helps to break it down.
- Models can be used to demonstrate and explain things that we are not able to see or experience directly.
Keywords
Digestive system - The digestive system breaks down food into small particles that are absorbed into the blood.
Digestion - Digestion is the process of breaking down food so the body can absorb nutrients.
Saliva - Saliva is a watery liquid in the mouth that keeps it moist and helps prepare food for digestion.
Oesophagus - The oesophagus is a tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
Stomach acid - Stomach acid is a digestive fluid produced by the stomach lining that helps break down food.
Common misconception
Pupils may not realise that there is a continuous system from mouth to anus that is part of a digestive system for food. Also that food goes to the tummy rather than the stomach.
When the pupils sketch the digestive system within the body outline, check the different parts join up to each other so food can pass all the way through. The word 'tummy' is used early on in the slide deck to highlight common misconceptions.
Equipment
See additional materials for more detailed guidance.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What do humans need to stay healthy?
Q2.Most humans are omnivores. We eat a varied to stay healthy.
Q3.What do humans have in their mouth that helps them to bite and chew food?
Q4.Match the teeth to their function.
Q5.Our lips, and teeth help us to speak clearly.
Q6.The teeth are part of which system in the body?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Humans need and water to survive and stay healthy.
Q2.Match the part of the mouth to its function in the digestion process.
Q3.What happens to the food after it leaves the mouth?
Q4.Which of these statements explains what happens in the stomach during digestion?
Q5.Put these parts of the body in the correct order of digestion, starting with the first part of the digestive system.
