1. Digestion in the Mouth
October 8, 2012
Using the Digestion in the Mouth activity from the Carolina Human Body Systems
Curriculum
http://www.carolinacurriculum.com/premium_content/eBooks/Human+Body/pdfs/Lesson
_4.pdf
Objectives in the curriculum:
Students will begin to construct a definition of the word enzyme.
Students will explore chemical digestion in the mouth.
Students will explore mechanical digestion in the mouth.
My objective(s):
SWBAT explain the role of amylase in digestion in the mouth (breaks down starches
into sugar).
Do Now:
Elicit:
Answer the following questions on the next empty page (page 17 or 18) of your
notebook.
1. What do you think would happen to the food in your mouth if you had no saliva?
2. What do you think would happen to the food in your mouth if you had no teeth?
Students will have 5-10 minutes to write. Then we will have a discussion as a class.
Engage
Give each student a cracker and have them eat it (slowly and following teacher
directions). Then they will write (in their notebook) a description of what happened as
they chewed and swallowed the cracker.
Students will share with a partner what they observed about what happened when they
chewed and swallowed the cracker. Then we will share out and discuss it as a group.
Explore
Explain purpose for todayʼs lab (learn about digestion in the mouth) and explain
objective (above).
Divide students into pre-designated groups (~3 students per group)
Go through the lab with the students. I will model it up front as they do it at their desks.
Students will mix amylase (the enzyme in our mouths) with starch and then
perform starch and sugar tests with Lugol and Benedictʼs Solution.

2. Students will record their data in their data tables and then clean up their lab area.
Explain
At the end of class, we will discuss the results, emphasizing that the amylase broke the
starch down into sugars.
Before students leave, they will answer the exit slip question.
Exit slip/Evaluate
What does amylase do in our mouths? Why do you think this?