Ostara: Human Anatomy II
Health and wholeness! At the spring equinox, we continue anatomy studies with nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, plus nutrition, mental health, and wellness.
UU Principle Focus
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
🎯 Learning Goals
- • Master the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems
- • Understand nutrition, mental health, and wellness
- • Develop healthy habits and self-care practices
- • Master factoring and solving quadratic equations
- • Connect physical and mental health
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: The Nervous System
🕯️ Hearth Circle
At Ostara, we celebrate balance and awakening. Our nervous system helps us respond to the world. How do you stay balanced when life feels overwhelming?
📚 Language Arts
Nervous system review and expansion. Brain regions and functions. Neurons and synapses. Begin wellness journal. Write about mind-body connection.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Introduction to quadratic expressions. Identifying quadratics. Standard form.
🧬 Science: Health & Wellness
Central and peripheral nervous system. Autonomic nervous system. Sympathetic vs. parasympathetic. Stress response.
✏️ Form Drawing
Neural pathway drawings
🧶 Handwork
Ostara crafts; brain model
📖 Story
The Brain: Command Center of the Body
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Nervous System Review
- Brain Regions
Shows:
- The Brain documentary
Audio:
- Brain science audiobooks
Week 2: The Endocrine System
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Hormones regulate our moods, growth, and energy. As teenagers, your hormones are especially active. How do you navigate these changes?
📚 Language Arts
Endocrine system review and expansion. Hormones and their effects. Puberty and development. Continue wellness journal. Write about change and growth.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Factoring quadratic expressions. GCF factoring. Factoring trinomials.
🧬 Science: Health & Wellness
Major glands and hormones. Feedback loops. Hormone imbalances. Healthy hormone function.
✏️ Form Drawing
Endocrine system diagrams
🧶 Handwork
Continue Ostara crafts; create hormone chart
📖 Story
Hormones: The Body's Chemical Messengers
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Endocrine System
- Puberty Explained
Shows:
- Hormones documentary
Audio:
- The Endocrine System audiobook
Week 3: The Immune System
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Our immune system protects us from threats. What protects your emotional and spiritual well-being? How do you build resilience?
📚 Language Arts
Immune system review and expansion. Types of immunity. Vaccines and disease prevention. Continue wellness journal. Write about protection and resilience.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Special factoring patterns. Difference of squares. Perfect square trinomials.
🧬 Science: Health & Wellness
White blood cells and antibodies. Inflammatory response. Allergies and autoimmune conditions. Boosting immunity.
✏️ Form Drawing
Immune cell drawings
🧶 Handwork
Spring cleaning rituals; immunity-boosting recipes
📖 Story
The Body's Army: How We Fight Disease
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Immune System Explained
- How Vaccines Work
Shows:
- The Immune System documentary
Audio:
- Immunity audiobooks
Week 4: Nutrition and Wellness
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Food is medicine. What we eat affects our bodies, minds, and moods. How do you nourish yourself? What does healthy eating mean to you?
📚 Language Arts
Nutrition science. Macronutrients and micronutrients. Reading food labels. Continue wellness journal. Write about food and culture.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Solving quadratic equations by factoring. Zero product property. Finding solutions.
🧬 Science: Health & Wellness
Balanced diet. Food groups. Metabolism and energy. Eating disorders awareness. Intuitive eating.
✏️ Form Drawing
Food and nutrition illustrations
🧶 Handwork
Healthy cooking; create a meal plan
📖 Story
You Are What You Eat: The Science of Nutrition
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Nutrition Basics
- Reading Food Labels
Shows:
- Food Inc.
- Fed Up
Audio:
- Nutrition audiobooks
Week 5: Mental Health and Wellness
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Mental health is just as important as physical health. How do you care for your mind and emotions? What helps you feel balanced?
📚 Language Arts
Mental health awareness. Stress, anxiety, and depression. Coping strategies. Continue wellness journal. Write about emotional health.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
The quadratic formula. When factoring doesn't work. Discriminant and solutions.
🧬 Science: Health & Wellness
Brain chemistry and mood. Sleep and mental health. Exercise and endorphins. Seeking help when needed.
✏️ Form Drawing
Mindfulness and meditation art
🧶 Handwork
Create a self-care toolkit; stress relief crafts
📖 Story
The Mind Matters: Understanding Mental Health
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Mental Health Awareness
- Coping with Stress
Shows:
- The Mind Explained
Audio:
- Mental health audiobooks
Week 6: Whole Person Wellness & Ostara Celebration
🕯️ Hearth Circle
At Ostara, light and dark are balanced. How do you find balance in your life—between work and rest, social time and solitude, body and mind?
📚 Language Arts
Integrating physical, mental, and spiritual health. Creating a wellness plan. Complete wellness journal. Write about wholeness and balance.
✖️ Math: Algebra I
Review quadratics. Real-world applications. Projectile motion and area problems.
🧬 Science: Health & Wellness
Holistic health. Mind-body connection. Creating sustainable healthy habits. Wellness project.
✏️ Form Drawing
Create an Ostara celebration page with balance themes
🧶 Handwork
Complete Ostara crafts; prepare equinox feast
📖 Story
The Balanced Life: Integrating Body, Mind, and Spirit
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Holistic Health
- Mind-Body Connection
Shows:
- Heal documentary
Audio:
- Ostara stories and music
🌸 Ostara Celebration
- 🟡 Present wellness projects and journals
- 🟡 Share healthy recipes and meal plans
- 🟡 Practice mindfulness and meditation together
- 🟡 Create a balanced feast celebrating spring
- 🟡 Plant seeds for growth and renewal
- 🟡 Reflect on balance in all areas of life
📚 Recommended Resources
Reference
- • The Human Body Book (DK)
- • Teen Health guides
- • Nutrition and wellness resources
Mental Health
- • Mindfulness apps (Calm, Headspace)
- • Teen mental health resources
- • Journaling guides