How Digestion Works

Free to teach as-is — the teacher guide, student handout, and slides are included.

Free — we'll email you an access link. Google Docs format.

Objective

I can describe how the digestive system breaks down food into nutrients the body can use.

Part 1 of 4

Warm-up video

Amoeba Sisters · 8:43Vetted channel

We don't generate video — this one is by Amoeba Sisters on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.

Part 2 of 4

Key concepts

3 concepts

  1. 1

    The four major tasks of the digestive system are ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination.

  2. 2

    Saliva contains enzymes that start chemical digestion in the mouth, while teeth perform mechanical digestion.

  3. 3

    The liver produces bile to help break down lipids, the gallbladder stores the bile, and the pancreas produces juices with digestive enzymes.

Part 3 of 4

Practice

12 questions

1

What are the four major tasks accomplished by the human digestive system, as discussed in the video?

2

Explain the difference between mechanical and chemical digestion, and give an example of where each occurs in the digestive system.

Part 4 of 4

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

Describe the four major tasks of the human digestive system and what happens during each task.

Sample answer included in the free materials

Get the materials

Teacher guide, student handout, and slides — free, in Google Docs format

  • Teacher Guide

    Complete lesson plan with answer keys and alternate activities

  • Student Handout

    Printable worksheet

  • Slides

    Ready to present

We'll ask for your email to send your access link — nothing else.

Teaching a group at a different level?

Where are your students right now? We'll rebuild this lesson to match — including the teacher guide, student handout, and slides, saved to your Google Drive.

Adapt This Lesson