Topic: Health and illness, causes of diseases

Author: Leokadia Stalewicz

Target group

7th‑grade students of elementary school

Core curriculum

General requirements

IV. Reasoning and applying the acquired knowledge to solving biological problems. Student:

1. interprets information and explains causal relationships between phenomena, formulates conclusions.

Specific requirements

IV. Homeostasis. Student:

2. presents health as a state of equilibrium of the internal environment of the organism and disease as disorders of homeostasis.

General aim of education

The student learns the differences between health and illness

Key competences

• communication in foreign languages;

• digital competence;

• learning to learn.

Criteria for success
The student will learn:

• distinguish the state of health from the state of the disease;

• exchange examples of infectious and parasitic diseases.

Methods/techniques

• expository

  • talk.

• activating

  • discussion.

• programmed

  • with computer;

  • with e‑textbook.

• practical

  • exercices concerned.

Forms of work

• individual activity;

• activity in pairs;

• activity in groups;

• collective activity.

Teaching aids

• e‑textbook;

• notebook and crayons/felt‑tip pens;

• interactive whiteboard, tablets/computers.

Lesson plan overview

Before classes

• Students get acquainted with the content of the abstract. They prepare to work on the lesson in such a way to be able to summarize the material read in their own words and solve the tasks themselves.

Introduction

• The teacher gives the topic, the goals of the lesson in a language understandable for the student, and the criteria of success.

• The teacher initiates a conversation introducing the topic.

  • What do you know about ...?

  • Have you ever met ...?

Realization

• Participants familiarize themselves with the content presented in the interactive illustration. Then the teacher discusses the issues with the students.

• Work in pairs. Table data analysis. Students discuss in pairs and then write down their explanations. The pointed out couples discuss their studies within the class.

• The teacher presents and discusses the photo gallery. Students analyze the illustrations and answer the teacher's questions.

• Students carry out the interactive exercises checking the level of knowledge learned during the lesson. The teacher initiates a discussion during which the correct solutions for all the exercises performed by the students are discussed.

Summary

• The teacher briefly presents the most important issues discussed in class. He answers the additional questions of the proteges and explains all their doubts. Students complete notes.

Homework

• Listen to the abstract recording at home. Pay attention to pronunciation, accent and intonation. Learn to pronounce the words learned during the lesson.

• Give examples of diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms.

The following terms and recordings will be used during this lesson

Terms

Texts and recordings

Health and illness, causes of diseases

Health is a condition when a person does not feel any discomfort and their body is in balance. A person can be described as healthy when they are both physically and mentally well and when they have good relations with other people. Therefore, health is a sense of comfort in the physical, mental and social sphere. The state of health is related to the proper functioning of organs and the proper life processes, the ability to think clearly, learn and mentally develop, the ability to control emotions and deal with stressful situations. The symptom of health is also a good functioning in society – having friends, being ready to meet new people and work with others and take on the responsibility to fulfill various social functions. Health means also spiritual health, or a sense of inner peace, which we get from living according to certain moral or religious principles and beliefs.

Human health

Disease is a health disorder. It is associated with irregularities in the structure or functioning of the human body. It is often a reaction of the organism to the environmental factors referred to as pathogenic agents or pathogens. Diseases include e.g. easily spreading infectious diseases and parasitic disease and non‑infectious – genetic diseases, cancerous, allergic and mental diseases.

Pathogenic agents attack constantly. Fortunately, the body has defensive mechanisms and repels most of the attacks. Despite that, almost every year we suffer from certain infectious diseases of the respiratory system, food poisoning or skin mycosis. The immediate cause of these diseases are viruses, bacteria and fungi. Often we are dealing with parasitic diseases caused by tapeworms, pinworms or mites.

Pathogens

The development of many diseases is caused by exposure to heavy metals, a number of poisonous substances or alcohol. These pathogens, like excessive body exposure to harmful radiation, can cause damage to cells, tissues and organs, which can lead to cancer and genetic diseases (hereditary).

Inadequate relationships with people, poor living conditions and constant stress and emotional tensions can be the reason for the development of depression, neurotic disorders and even mental disorders.

• Health is a state of physical, mental and social well‑being, not just a lack of illness or infirmity.

• Pathogenic factors are biological, physical, chemical and social factors as well as improper diet.

• Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic organisms and spread through direct contact with a sick person, by droplet, food and sexual intercourse.

• In order to counteract diseases, the principles of a healthy lifestyle should be applied.

• Taking medicines, especially antibiotics, should be under the supervision of a doctor.