Integumentary System Unit for Anatomy

Looking for a low-prep Integumentary System Unit that is jam-packed with hands-on activities that are sure to engage all learners within your classroom? Look no further!

This activity-based unit is perfect for new Anatomy and Physiology teachers who need a comprehensive unit as they navigate teaching a new course... but also for seasoned teachers who are looking to diversify their lessons and add more active learning to their Integumentary System Unit.

What will a typical day look like using this unit? For my first years of teaching, I would lecture for 45 minutes straight - every day! I quickly burned out and realized that I taught best and my students learned best when each topic was taught through a combination of a shorter lecture and a low-prep, student-focused application activity. With this unit most days you will spend 5-20 minutes completing Doodle Notes with your students and pair those notes with a 15-30 minute hands-on, minds-on activity reviewing and building upon the content. These activities include 5 labs (minimal supplies required), a myth or fact challenge, a coloring and activity packet, two review worksheets, an edible model project (making the recipe is optional), and a vocabulary domino challenge.

Concepts Covered:

• Anatomy and Physiology of the Epidermis & Dermis
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Hypodermis
• Functions of the Integument
• Touch Receptors
• Fingerprints
• Science of Skin Color
• UV Radiation and Skin Cancer
• Hair, Glands, & Nails

If you utilize all of the content included, your unit will include a full 10 to 12 days of engaging, lecture-minimal content.

What is included in this unit?

• Pacing Guide: To set you up for success, this unit is built around a pacing guide that explains exactly how to structure every day. You won't have to search for files. The pacing guide includes links that send you directly to the source of each activity.
• Teacher Guides: Each resource included in this unit comes with at least one page of teacher instructions. In total, you'll receive over 10 pages of teacher instructions that will guide you through each lesson.
• PowerPoints: This unit includes a 140-slide editable PowerPoint presentation. I strive for my PowerPoints to include more than just notes - in each PowerPoint you'll find diagrams, student challenges, links to videos, explanations of activities, and extension activities.
• Doodle Notes: The notes utilized in this curriculum are doodle notes, which boost student engagement and retention. Within this unit, you will receive 10 pages of doodle notes. Each page includes a key, fill-in-the-blank version, and blank version - perfect for all of your differentiation needs. Your students aren't crazy about coloring? No worries! I include pre-colored version of each page of doodle notes as well as black and white versions. Notes included: integumentary system basics, cells of the epidermis, layers of the epidermis, dermis & hypodermis anatomy, functions of the skin, skin color, glands, hair, nails
• Labs & Activities: This unit includes 12 different labs and activities. Labs & activities included: myth or fact challenge, anatomy of the skin coloring and activity packet, skin edible model project, 2 review worksheets/packets, evaporative cooling lab, mechanoreceptor lab, thermoreceptor lab, fingerprint activity, UV-radiation lab, skin anatomy BINGO, vocabulary domino challenge. All labs include basic supplies that you already have in your classroom or can purchase from Amazon.
• Editable Test: A 120-point (103-question) editable test, answer sheet, and key is INCLUDED within the bonus file! The test is designed to be customized and serve as a question bank for your own classroom.
• Print or digital? 99% of resources are available in BOTH print and digital forms! For each PowerPoint you will receive a digital version through Google Slides™ as well. For each set of doodle notes, you will receive a digital version through Google Slides™ of the notes with textboxes ready for students to type in notes. Every packet, lab, and activity includes a digital version through Google Slides™ with textboxes ready for students to type in their answers and click submit! A very small number of resources are only available in print form due to the nature of those resources (ex. domino cards)

Are these resources editable?

I did my best to make this unit as editable as possible for you! In order to abide by copyright laws or to maintain formatting, a number of these resources are saved in PDF form (and are non-editable). Specifically, all Doodle Notes are non-editable; however, I have added a blank copy of each set of Doodle Notes that you can add your own notes to! If you find you need anything to be more editable, don't hesitate to email me and I'll see what I can do!

Want your students to dive deeper into disorders and diseases of the integumentary system? Consider adding the Integumentary System Disorders & Diseases Stations to your unit!

What Other Teachers Are Saying:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My first year teaching on level A&P. This resource really helped me break it down into manageable chunks. - Melissa

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My students loved this bundle. It is full of engaging resources to use throughout the Integumentary System unit. - Michele

This resource is also included in my Full-Year Anatomy & Physiology Curriculum.

Doodle notes is a trademarked term used with permission. Please visit doodlenotes.org for more information.

If you have any questions, please reach out at rachel@sciencefromscratch.com.