Area of Learning: Science Grade 11

Strand: Biology Short-Term Lesson Plan Grouping

Date
Mixed Ability
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Learning Lesson Pathway (Topic): Practical Tasks: Kidneys Duration Approximately One Hour

Curriculum Indicator(s): Enrichment Topic

Learning Outcomes:
• Investigate the structure of the kidneys.
• Explain how the structure of the kidneys relates to their function.
• Draw conclusions about blood flow into and out of the kidney.

Progression of Learning & Teaching:

Key Teaching Points
Lesson Hook: Points to Remember: Key Learning & Teaching Strategies
Resources:
Slides 1 (3 minutes) • Interactive whiteboard
• Look at the photos of people disassembling things on the introductory slides. Have • Biology textbook
students discuss their ideas about the answers to these questions for each photo: • Physical model of a kidney (for Below-Level students)
o What is happening in the photo? • Unlabeled kidney diagrams
o What might the person learn while taking apart the object? • Flagged pins
o How is this action like the dissection of a body organ?
• Tell students that in this lesson they will review the external and internal structures of One each of the following per student:
the kidney. They will then see these structures first-hand while performing the dissection • Goggles
of a sheep kidney. • Gloves
• Lab aprons
Slides 2 and 3 (2 minutes)
• Read aloud the Learning Outcomes to get students thinking about the topics they will One each of the following per group:
study in this lesson. • Sheep kidney
• Have students read through the vocabulary terms. • Scalpel
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Dissecting tray
 • Camera (optional; see notes for Slide 10)

Key Vocabulary:
• Renal capsule
• Renal artery
• Renal vein
• Ureter
• Medulla
• Renal pyramid
• Renal pelvis
• Cortex
• Renal column

Key Questions:
• What are the external and internal structures of the kidneys?
• How does the structure of the kidney relate to its function?
• What is the path of blood flow through the kidneys?
• How does the blood entering the kidneys differ from the blood
exiting the kidneys?
• What are the safety guidelines for dissection?
• What are the procedures for dissecting a kidney?

Differentiation:
• Below-Level students may have difficulty identifying the structures
of the kidneys, especially ones that are easy to confuse, such as the
renal artery and renal vein. Provide them with the opportunity to
examine a physical model of a kidney so they can better understand
kidney structure.
• Give Above-Level students the opportunity to create a physical
model of a kidney and/or a model of renal circulation.
Starter:

Slide 4 (3 minutes)
• Have students read and think about the questions on this slide. Ask for volunteers to provide answers to the questions. Tell students that in this lesson they will
learn what happens to water in the bloodstream as it passes through the kidneys.
Main Teaching:

Slide 5 (8 minutes)
• Have students work in small groups to fill out the kidney diagram. Tell them to keep the diagram so they can revise and add to it during the rest of the lesson.
• In addition, have the groups work together to write a paragraph identifying the structures they expect to see during the dissection and what they expect the
structures will look like. Have groups share their paragraphs with the class.

Slide 6 (8 minutes)
• Have learning partners complete the paired reading and teach each other what they have learned.
• Have students make a list of three things they learned about the kidneys from the paired reading. Ask them to write in their notebook a question that they still
have about the structures of the kidneys and how they could find the answer.

Slide 7 (3 minutes)
• Students will complete a quiz that checks their understanding of the structures of the kidneys.

Slide 8 (2 minutes)
• Have students watch the video to help them learn how to dissect a kidney.

Slide 9 (5 minutes)
• Have students read the information on this slide. Review the safety guidelines with them and have them put on the gloves, goggles, and lab aprons.
• Give groups all needed materials and have them prepare to dissect the kidney.
• Check with your students to ensure none have allergies to the chemicals in the preserved kidney.

Slide 10 (10 minutes)

• Students will complete an examination of the exterior of the kidney. Remind them to write their observations in their notebook. If cameras are available (groups
can share), have students take photographs of each step of the dissection. If you do not have cameras for the students, then have groups designate one member
to make sketches of each step.

Slide 11 (10 minutes)

• Students will complete an examination of the interior of the kidney. Ask them to take turns using the dissecting tools.
• Remind them to write their observations in their notebook and to take photographs or make sketches of each step of the dissection.
• After the dissections are complete, have students clean and sanitize their lab areas according to your school’s requirements.
• Consult the packaging of your lab specimens for advice on proper disposal of the biological samples and preservative fluids. Check with your school’s
administrator to confirm school rules for disposal. You may also want to call your local solid waste and wastewater agencies to ensure that you dispose of the
samples in a way that is safe for the environment.

Slide 12 (8 minutes)
• Based on what they have learned in this lesson, have students (in their learning groups) add to and revise their labeled kidney diagrams (from the Opening Task)
and review and revise the paragraph they wrote about the structures of the kidney.
• Then, have students use arrows and labels on their diagrams to indicate how blood flows into and out of the kidney and how urine flows out of the kidney.

Slide 13 (4 minutes)
• Have students complete the Kidney Structures and Dissection Quiz either independently or with a learning partner.

Slide 14 (2 minutes)
• Read aloud each of the summary points and have students describe what they have learned about the topic.

Plenary: Assessment Methods:

Slide 15 (5 minutes)
• Have students work with a learning partner to create a table that lists the structures and
functions of the kidneys. Ask learning pairs to share their table with the class to double-
check the information in it.
• Use the Lesson Hook to assess students’ prior knowledge.
• Use the Tasks to assess how students apply the concepts.
• Use the quizzes to assess what students have learned about the
structures of the kidney and the process of dissecting a kidney.

Evaluation / Next Steps

Have students complete the homework lesson to apply what they have learned about the structures of the kidney and the process of dissecting a kidney as they
learn about renal circulation.

In the Homework Task, students will develop a guide to kidney dissection and kidney structures, based on their dissection experience. Students may want to use
their photographs or drawings from the dissection to illustrate their guide.