Lesson Plan in Science 6

I.
II.

III.

Objective:
1. Describe how nervous system works.
Subject Matter: How the Nervous System Works
References:
BEC 2002 Handbook for Science and Health (4.4.2)
Into the Future: Science and Health 6, pp. 41-43
Materials:
Illustration showing the normal path and easy path of a message.
Manila Paper, Pentel pen
Background Information:
Nerve endings are evenly distributed throughout the body. these nerves
endings are very sensitive to stimuli such as temperature and pressure. Electrical
impulses are sent through the nerves up to the brain. The brain then sends back a
message to the organ concerned to make the appropriate actions.
There are three kids of nerves cells. The sensory nerves which respond to the
internal and and external stimuli; the motor nerves which nerves which stimulate
the muscle and the action nerves that link the sensory nerves to the nerves.
Sometimes the nerve impulse takes a special pathway. The message does not pass
the brain. It reaches only the spinal cord and the message is sent back to the body
part which will the action. This shortcut is called reflex action. It is the short path of
transmitting messages. Withdrawing ones hand away as it touches a hot or
pointed object, jerking the hand when it is tapped or hit by a small hammer are
examples of reflex action.
Learning Tasks
A. Preliminary Activities/Motivation
1. Checking of Assignment
2. Review
Different parts of the nervous system and their function.
3. Motivation
Let the pupils recall their observation about the wires on electric posts
along the streets.
Ask: What are the wires for? ( To carry electric current to different
homes and buildings). Point out that in our body, we can find
something similar to these wires.
B. Lesson Proper: POE Strategy
P-PREDICT
1. Pose the problem
a. Which part of the nervous system act as the wires in our body?
b. How are the messages transmitted to the brain.
O-OBSERVE
2. Recall the lesson on the neuron and its parts. Point out that there are
billions of neurons in our body.
3. Tell the pupils to analyse the illustration of the normal path of a message
as described in the textbook (Into the Future: Science and Health 6 pp. 4143).
4. Let them trace and explain the path of the message.
5. Inform them that there are times when the messages takes a shortcut.
6. Introduce reflex action.
Let the pupils do Activity 1.9. Test Your Reflexes
E-EXPLAIN
Lead the discussion on their observation. Give examples of reflex
actions they did in the class. Explain why you think they are reflex actions.
C. Concept Formation/Generalization
1. What are the two pathways by which messages may transmit?
(a. carrying the message to the brain)
(b. bringing the message to the spinal cord and back to the body part that
will the action)
2. What is reflex action?

IV.

V.

(An involuntary action that originates from the spinal cord and not from the
brain)
3. Why are some parts of the body more sensitive than other parts?
(They have nerve endings).
4. Gives examples of a reflex action.
D. Valuing
How do you feel toward people who have mental disorders?
Assessment/Evaluation
Choose the letter of the correct answer:
1. Why are some parts of the body more sensitive than others?
a. they have large nerve endings b. they have more nerve endings
c. they have tougher nerve endings d. they have smaller nerve endings
2. Which of the following is a reflex action?
a. blinking of the eyelids
b. beating of the heart
c. inhaling and exhaling
d. circulation of blood
3. What is the usual path of messages received by the body from the environment?
a. brain-------nerves---------spinal cord------- sense organ
b. nerve ----- sense organ-------- brain ------- spinal cord
c. spinal cord ------ sense organ ----- brain----- nerves
d. sense organ ------ nerves--- spinal cord ------brain
4. How is the message carried from one neuron to another if there is a space
between them?
a. by means of the spinal cord
b. by means of a chemical reaction, electrical impulse
c. by means of nerve fibers
5. How is the neuron different from an ordinary cell?
a. it is made up of nerve fibers
b. it has a reflex action
c. it has nerve endings
Assignment