Today’s Walking Classroom podcast discusses the integumentary system, or skin. Skin is the largest, most versatile organ of the body and it has many different functions. The amount of melanin in a person’s skin determines their skin color. Darker people have more melanin and are better protected from damage from the sun. Skin has three layers, and each layer has its own special job.
Character Value: Forgiveness
Click for Standards Alignment
Common Core
L–Language | SL–Speaking and Listening | RI–Reading: Informational | RL–Reading: Literature | W–Writing | RH–6-8 Literacy in History/Social Studies | RST–6-8 Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects Elementary School:RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, SL.3.1, SL.3.4
RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, SL.4.1, SL.4.4
RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.3, SL.5.1, SL.5.4
Middle School:
RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.3, SL.6.1, SL.6.4
RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.3, SL.7.1, SL.7.4
RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.3, SL.8.1, SL.8.4
RST.6-8.4
Next Generation Science Standards
PS–Physical Science | LS–Life Science | ESS–Earth and Space Science | ETS–Engineering, Technology and the Application of Science Elementary School: 4-LS1-1, 4-LS1-2Middle School: MS-LS1-1, MS-LS1-2, MS-LS1-3, MS-LS1-8
Supplemental Resource Links and Downloads
Quiz: (Make sure you're already logged into your Gmail account, then click to copy this Google form to your Google Drive. Quiz keys are here.)
Skin Google Quiz
Slide Deck:
Skin Slide Deck
Explains the science behind sweat, wrinkly fingers, and sunburn.
Covers layers of the skin and stages of scarring.
Discusses the tiny bugs living in our pores.
Shows the reconstruction of head/face model of an ancient human ancestor species based on comparative anatomy of humans and South African primates.
Explains why people have different skin tones, as well as the evolutionary process that led to the differentiation.
Test knowledge of the body’s largest organ with this quick online quiz from Kids Health from Nemours.
Students choose an organ, gather facts, and create a “Wanted” poster for their organ in this project from The Science Spot.
Fill in the blanks to label the parts of the skin on this free printable from Kids Health from Nemours.
Create a Von Frey device and discover how the nerves in our skin feel in this Education.com free hands-on activity.
See More Podcasts in Subject Area: Science
See More Themed Groupings that Contain this Podcast: Life Science, The Human Body