Imbolc: Human Anatomy I
Know thyself! As the light grows at Imbolc, we dive deep into the human body's major systems.
UU Principle Focus
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth
🎯 Learning Goals
- • Understand body organization and homeostasis
- • Master the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems
- • Connect anatomy to health and wellness choices
- • Master exponents, scientific notation, radicals, and Pythagorean theorem
- • Develop appreciation for the body's complexity
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: The Body as a Whole
🕯️ Hearth Circle
At Imbolc, we celebrate the first stirrings of spring within the earth. What stirrings do you notice within yourself as you grow and change?
📚 Language Arts
Introduction to anatomy and physiology. Body organization: cells, tissues, organs, systems. Begin body journal. Write about the miracle of the body.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Exponents and scientific notation. Powers of 10. Very large and very small numbers.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
Levels of organization. Homeostasis. How the body maintains balance. Introduction to body systems.
✏️ Form Drawing
Anatomical drawings—body proportions
🧶 Handwork
Imbolc crafts; begin body model project
📖 Story
The Human Body: A Universe Within
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Human Body Overview
- Levels of Organization
Shows:
- The Human Body documentary
Audio:
- Body science audiobooks
Week 2: Skeletal System Deep Dive
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Our bones give us structure and protect our vital organs. What gives structure to your life? What do you need to protect?
📚 Language Arts
Detailed skeletal system study. Bone structure and growth. Joints and movement. Continue body journal. Write about support and structure.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Operations with exponents. Multiplying and dividing powers. Zero and negative exponents.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
Bone anatomy. Compact vs. spongy bone. Bone marrow and blood cell production. Bone health.
✏️ Form Drawing
Detailed bone drawings—skull, hand, spine
🧶 Handwork
Create skeletal system model; Brigid's cross
📖 Story
The Living Skeleton: How Bones Grow and Heal
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Skeletal System Deep Dive
- Bone Structure
Shows:
- Inside the Human Body - Bones
Audio:
- Bones: Our Skeletal System
Week 3: Muscular System Deep Dive
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Muscles allow us to move, express emotions, and even pump our blood. How do you use your strength? What does it mean to be strong?
📚 Language Arts
Detailed muscular system study. Muscle types and functions. How muscles contract. Continue body journal. Write about strength.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Scientific notation operations. Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing in scientific notation.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
Muscle fiber structure. Sliding filament theory. Muscle fatigue and recovery. Exercise physiology.
✏️ Form Drawing
Muscle anatomy drawings—arm, leg, torso
🧶 Handwork
Create muscular system overlay; candle making
📖 Story
The Power of Muscles: From Heartbeat to Sprint
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Muscular System Explained
- How Muscles Contract
Shows:
- Muscles and Movement
Audio:
- The Muscular System audiobook
Week 4: Circulatory System Deep Dive
🕯️ Hearth Circle
The heart beats about 100,000 times a day, never resting. What keeps your heart going—literally and figuratively?
📚 Language Arts
Detailed circulatory system study. Heart anatomy and the cardiac cycle. Blood vessels and circulation. Continue body journal. Write about the heart.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Introduction to radicals. Square roots and cube roots. Simplifying radicals.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
Heart chambers and valves. Blood pressure and pulse. Blood composition. Cardiovascular health.
✏️ Form Drawing
Heart anatomy and circulatory pathways
🧶 Handwork
Create heart model; Imbolc altar decorations
📖 Story
The Heart: Engine of Life
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Heart Anatomy
- Blood Flow Through the Heart
Shows:
- The Heart documentary
Audio:
- The Circulatory System audiobook
Week 5: Respiratory System Deep Dive
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Every breath connects us to the air around us—we breathe in what trees breathe out. How does breath connect us to the world?
📚 Language Arts
Detailed respiratory system study. Lung anatomy. Gas exchange. Breathing mechanics. Continue body journal. Write about breath and life.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Operations with radicals. Adding, subtracting, multiplying radicals. Rationalizing denominators.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
Alveoli and gas exchange. Respiratory rate and volume. Respiratory health. Connection to circulatory system.
✏️ Form Drawing
Lung anatomy and breathing diagrams
🧶 Handwork
Create lung model; breathing exercises
📖 Story
The Breath of Life: How We Breathe
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Respiratory System
- Gas Exchange
Shows:
- Inside the Human Body - Breathing
Audio:
- The Respiratory System audiobook
Week 6: Digestive System Deep Dive
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Our bodies transform food into energy and building blocks. What nourishes you—physically, emotionally, spiritually?
📚 Language Arts
Detailed digestive system study. The digestive journey from mouth to elimination. Continue body journal. Write about nourishment.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Pythagorean theorem introduction. Finding missing sides. Real-world applications.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
Digestive organs and their functions. Enzymes and chemical digestion. Nutrient absorption. Gut health.
✏️ Form Drawing
Digestive system pathway drawings
🧶 Handwork
Create digestive system model; healthy cooking
📖 Story
The Journey of Food: From Bite to Energy
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Digestive System Journey
- Enzymes Explained
Shows:
- Inside the Human Body - Digestion
Audio:
- The Digestive System audiobook
Week 7: Systems Integration & Imbolc Celebration
🕯️ Hearth Circle
All body systems work together to keep us alive. At Imbolc, we celebrate new beginnings. How will you care for your body as you grow?
📚 Language Arts
How body systems work together. Review and integration. Complete body journal. Write a commitment to body care.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Review exponents, radicals, and Pythagorean theorem. Real-world applications.
🫀 Science: Human Anatomy
Systems integration project. How systems depend on each other. Creating a body systems presentation.
✏️ Form Drawing
Create an Imbolc celebration page with body themes
🧶 Handwork
Complete body models; prepare Imbolc feast
📖 Story
The Symphony of the Body: All Systems Working Together
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Body Systems Review
- How Systems Connect
Shows:
- The Human Body finale
Audio:
- Imbolc stories and music
🕯️ Imbolc Celebration
- 🟡 Present body systems projects
- 🟡 Share body journals and reflections
- 🟡 Light candles for Brigid and new beginnings
- 🟡 Prepare a healthy feast celebrating nourishment
- 🟡 Make commitments to body care
- 🟡 Celebrate the growing light within and without
📚 Recommended Resources
Reference
- • The Human Body Book (DK)
- • Gray's Anatomy for Students (simplified)
- • Body: An Amazing Tour of Human Anatomy
Interactive
- • Visible Body app
- • BioDigital Human
- • InnerBody.com