Grade 4 Scientists Investigate Body Function & Health in Dissection

Grade 4 students explored similarities between goats and humans in a scientific investigation of how the body works.

As part of their unit focused on “Who We Are” and the human body, students dissected goat hearts and lungs to understand how body structures, processes, health, and lifestyle support living things.

“Students continue learning through inquiry to develop a broader understanding of health and how to take care of their own body,” Grade 4 Teacher Claudia Iordache said. “Many students demonstrated an increased willingness to reflect on their own body, how it functions and were able to develop conversations about other body parts than those explored during the dissection.”

During the project, students debated the importance of the brain compared to the heart. Others observed how the trachea and functions when eating.

"By engaging their minds and senses in an extended way, learning engagements such as a dissection allow students to make direct observations and connections with themselves, others and the real-world," Claudia said. "Aside from being a fun way to learn, this kind of exploration inspires them to reflect and compare their prior understanding to practical aspects of our world."

To find out more about student investigations in the Elementary School and at ICS, visit our Learn page.