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Understanding Concepts through Songs and
Poems
««« By Meg O’Mahony
Meg O’Mahony is a Biology Teacher at the University of Toronto Schools and
Canadian Coordinator, NABT.
Curriculum Connection: 12U Biology.
Students in my Senior Biology course have shown their
understanding of the concepts taught throughout the
course, through such creative works as poems and songs.
Having the students put their knowledge to music or other
creative ways of presenting the information, allows them
to truly think about the concepts and materials learned,
rather than just regurgitating the information through
essays or more static presentation methods. My student
Roland Li wrote (and performed) this song for his 12U
Biology portfolio.
Endocrine System
(To the tune of Green Day’s American Idiot)
Verse:
Humans have an endocrine system
Transport hormones to target organs (through the blood)
It is important for internal regulation
And it works with the nervous system
Chorus:
Stimuli from parts of the body (cause)
Endocrine glands release (minute amounts of) tropic hormones
They (glands) have no ducts and no tubes
Target cells respond to these hormones
Maintaining homeostasis
Adjust to a changing environment
Understanding Concepts
Volume 38 • 1 September 2006
Go to
stao.org
CRUCIBLE online
Verse:
In the lower part of the brain
Hypothalamus integrates functions (of the endocrine system)
Controlling the pituitary glands (the releasing/inhibiting of hormones)
(When) It receives nerve information (stimuli)
Chorus:
Near the neck is the thyroid (and parathyroid) gland (control calcium levels, growth)
The pancreas controls glucose levels
Adrenal (medulla and cortex) glands (located on top of kidneys) respond to stress
Pineal glands mediate biorhythms (secrete the hormone melatonin, regulate light related functions)
Gonads are the home of reproduction (regulated by follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] and luteinizing hormone [LH])
Testes in men, and ovaries in women
Verse:
Adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary gland) is connected (to the hypothalamus)
Neurohypophysis (posterior) is an extension (of the brain/hypothalamus)
Releases oxytocin (controls muscles, the uterus, and mammary glands)
And antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Chorus:
Shrinking cells (due to osmosis) send an impulse (stimuli)
(To) Receptor hypothalamus nerve cells
When osmolarity of plasma is up (solute concentration in blood)
Pituitary (posterior, gland) ADH releases
Increasing (water) permeability (brain also stimulates thirst)
In the (collecting) ducts of the kidneys (negative feedback system to stop secretion when homeostasis is maintained).
Understanding Concepts – Page 2
Volume 38 • 1 September 2006