Phase 1: Explore
Trivia Questions
This trivia challenge includes a mix of interesting and challenging facts about the muscular system to kickstart student learning. This activity can be done individually or in teams as a game.
Phase 2: Learn & Practice
Unit 1: Introduction (Core)
In this unit, students learn the functions of muscles and define the traits all muscles have in common. Students are introduced to the three major types of muscles, including skeletal, cardiac, and smooth. Unit 2 provides more detail on the three types of muscle.
Unit 2: Types of Muscles (Core)
In this unit, students investigate the three types of muscle: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth. Students define the similarities and differences between the types and define shared terminology for muscle tissues. Students describe the function and appearance of each type of muscle and provide examples.
Unit 3: Starting the Muscle Contraction (Extended)
In this unit, students learn the process of muscle contraction. They describe the role of ATP in providing energy to muscles, name the three systems responsible for creating ATP, and describe the energy limits of each of the ATP production systems. Students describe the nervous system's role in muscle contraction and understand how muscles contract through action potential.
Unit 4: Muscle Movement at the Cellular Level (Extended)
In this unit, students explore muscle movement at the cellular level by describing the cellular anatomy of a skeletal muscle. They are introduced to sliding filament theory, graded responses, and different types of muscle movement.
Unit 5: Body Motions and Terminology (Core)
In this unit, students name and identify anatomical movements and describe body motions using muscle movement terminology.
Unit 6: Naming of the Skeletal Muscles (Extended)
In this unit, students name and describe seven criteria for naming muscles, including size, location of the muscle, location of the origin and insertion, shape, action, number of origins, and direction of the muscle fibers.
Unit 7: Muscle Groups (Extended)
In this unit, students identify the names, functions, and general locations of some of the major muscles in the face, trunk, arms, and legs.
Unit 8: Resistance Training and Exercise (Extended)
In this unit, students explore the effects of physical activity on the body's muscular system and describe the benefits of strength training, aerobic exercise, and stretching.
Unit 9: Diseases and Disorders (Core)
In this unit, students describe diseases and disorders of the muscular system, examine the causes and symptoms of these diseases and disorders, and identify treatments for them.
Phase 3: Reflect
Questions and Discussion
This activity provides an opportunity for students to reflect upon and apply what they learned to situations in their lives and health-related settings. The questions encourage students to consider what they learned about the muscular system and how it connects to other systems.
Students can complete this assignment as homework or teachers can use the questions to lead a class discussion.
Phase 4: Reinforce
Crossword Puzzle
For this activity, students complete a crossword puzzle about the muscular system to reinforce the glossary words and medical terminology. Students can work individually or in small groups to complete the puzzle.
Advanced Treatment Research Project
Students research an advanced treatment for a disease or disorder related to the muscular system to better understand medical procedures beyond the typical treatments. Students are encouraged to explore current, innovative, cutting-edge, non-traditional, and other treatment options as part of this project.
Students can work individually or in small groups to create a research paper or presentation.
Careers Research
In this project, students research three healthcare careers related to the muscular system. This activity is an opportunity to apply what they learned in the lessons to career opportunities.
This activity can be completed as homework, as in-class work, or as a presentation.
Diseases and Disorders Research
Students research a disease or disorder related to muscular system in greater detail than presented in the module. Students explain the etiology, pathology, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and potential disease prevention. This activity can be completed as homework, as in-class work, or as a presentation.
This module presents an in-depth look at the human muscular system. This module includes core and extended units.
