This document outlines a unit plan for a high school anatomy and physiology class focusing on the integumentary system (skin). The unit will examine the structure and functions of the skin through exploring its layers, protection abilities, and relationship to other body systems. Students will learn about common skin diseases and disorders. Learning objectives involve defining skin vocabulary, comparing skin layers, illustrating hair and nail structures, analyzing skin glands, diagnosing skin diseases, and developing skin care plans. Activities include creating educational materials on skin safety, comparing skin layers, and journaling personal skin health habits.

1. Skin-the Marine Corps of our
Body

2. High School Anatomy & Physiology
Unit Plan Introduction
Jada Burns EDT 610
September 29, 2010

3. Subjects the unit will cover:
• Science: Anatomy & Physiology 12th
grade
• This unit will also use:
– Technology
– Creative skills

4. Essential Question?
• Is beauty only skin deep?

5. Unit Questions?
• What are the different layers of the skin?
• What are the purposes / functions of the
skin?
• How can we protect our skin for life?

6. Alabama Curriculum Standards to
be covered in this unit.
5.) Identify anatomical structures and
functions of the integumentary system.
• Identifying accessory organs
• Recognizing diseases and disorders of the
integumentary system
Examples: decubitus ulcer, melanoma,
psoriasis

7. Unit Summary
Teachers must develop a thick skin. Jason passed
Biology by the skin of his teeth. Beauty is only skin deep.
We use these idioms about the skin in our casual
conversations. The skin is the largest organ of the body.
This unit will examine how the skin protects, regulates
and works with other organ systems to aide in digestion
and sensory processes. Our skin is the body’s first line of
defense against invading infections organisms. This unit
will also cover common skin diseases and disorders.

8. Learning Objectives:
• The students will define vocabulary associated with the parts of the
skin (Knowledge)
• The students will compare the 3 layers of the skin.
(Comprehension)
• The students will illustrate a single hair and its components.
(Application)
• The students will apply their knowledge of nails by classifying the
parts of their own nails. (Application)
• The students will fill out a graphic organizer on the glands of the
skin. (Analysis)
• The students will play the role of a Dr. and hypothesize which skin
disease a patient has based on the symptoms at hand (Synthesis)
• The students will develop a diet, exercise plan, and skin protection
plan to maintain and protect healthy skin. (Synthesis)
• The students will debate whether teen tanning should be outlawed.
(Evaluation)

9. Activity #1
• The students will split into groups and
create a newsletter showing how to
protect your skin from the sun, heat
exhaustion, and hydration.

10. Activity 2
• Students will split into groups and create a
PowerPoint presentation to educate
workers who are cleaning up the Gulf oil
spill on the hazards of their jobs. To be
included are the dangers of prolonged sun
exposure, contamination from the oil, heat
exhaustion, and exposure to salt water.

11. Activity 3
• The students will create a blog journaling
their diet, exercise, and sun exposure and
how each of these may effect their overall
health of their skin.

12. Activity 4
• Students will fill out a 3 circle Venn
Diagram comparing and contrasting the 3
layers of the skin.