This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Biology GCSE, particularly the ‘Homeostasis’ SoW and for higher tier students.
 
This lesson begins with a recap of normal body temperature and what happens if the temperature falls above or below this temperature. Pupils will also be introduced to the role of the thermoregulatory centre and thermoregulatory receptors in monitoring body temperature.
 
Pupils are then asked to discuss and produce a list of mechanisms that helps the body to cool down on a hot day. This leads onto describe the role of sweating and vasodilation in cooling the body down. Pupils are then asked to consider what they think might happen if the body becomes too cold and again produce a list of mechanisms which might help warm it up. Using the PowerPoint slides the mechanisms of shivering and vasoconstriction will be demonstrated to pupils. Using this information pupils will need to copy and complete a flow diagram to demonstrate the role of thermoregulatory centre in controlling body temperature, this can be self-assessed once it has been completed.
 
Pupils will now copy and label a diagram of the skin to show the position of sweat glands, hair, hair muscle and blood vessels, this can be marked once it has been completed.
 
The next activity is for pupils to sort statements into two columns - one describing what happens when the body is too hot and one for when the body is too cold. Once completed the mark scheme can be used by pupils to self or peer-assess their work.
 
The final activity is a 6-mark exam-style question on this topic, pupils should try and complete this in silence and at the back of their books to really test their knowledge of this topic. Once complete the mark scheme can be used for pupils to mark their own work.
The plenary task is for pupils to pick a summary question of their choice from the two provided.