4.

Explain (10 minutes)

Purpose: To deliver clear and structured information about the digestive system, ensuring
students understand key concepts and the interactions between the digestive system and
other body systems. This phase solidifies students' knowledge gained during the Explore
segment.
Detailed Flow for the Explain Segment:
1. Gather Students' Attention:
○ Ask students to settle down and bring their focus back to the front of the
classroom.
○ Remind them that they will now build on what they discussed in their groups
about the digestive system.
2. Introduce the Lecture:
○ Start with a brief introduction to the digestive system:
■ “The digestive system is a complex network of organs that work
together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste.
Today, we will explore each organ's role and how these organs
interact with other body systems.”
3. Use Visual Aids:
○ Utilize a diagram of the digestive system projected on a screen or a physical
model if available. This visual aid will help students follow along and reinforce
their understanding as you explain each organ's function.
4. Explain Each Organ:
○ Mouth:
■ Role: The process of digestion begins here, where food is
mechanically broken down through chewing and mixed with saliva
(which contains enzymes) to start the digestion of carbohydrates.
○ Esophagus:
■ Role: This muscular tube transports food from the mouth to the
stomach through a series of contractions called peristalsis.
○ Stomach:
■ Role: The stomach further digests food using gastric juices (acid and
enzymes). It breaks down proteins and churns food into a semi-liquid
form called chyme.
○ Small Intestine:
 ■ Role: Most nutrient absorption occurs here. The small intestine has
three parts (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) where bile from the liver and
enzymes from the pancreas aid in digestion and absorption.
○ Large Intestine:
■ Role: The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes from the
remaining indigestible food matter and compacts it into feces for
elimination.
○ Liver:
■ Role: The liver produces bile, which helps digest fats, and processes
nutrients absorbed from the small intestine. It also plays a crucial role
in detoxification.
○ Pancreas:
■ Role: The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate,
which neutralizes stomach acid in the small intestine. It also regulates
blood sugar levels by producing insulin.
○ Rectum:
■ Role: The rectum stores feces until they are expelled from the body
through the anus.
5. Discuss Interactions with Other Systems:
○ Circulatory System:
■ Explain how the circulatory system transports nutrients absorbed
from the small intestine to cells throughout the body. “After nutrients
are absorbed, they enter the bloodstream and are delivered to cells
for energy and growth.”
○ Respiratory System:
■ Describe how the respiratory system provides oxygen needed for
cellular respiration, which is necessary for energy production. “The
oxygen we breathe is transported by the blood to cells, where it helps
convert glucose from digested food into energy.”
○ Excretory System:
■ Discuss how the excretory system helps eliminate waste products
from the body. “Once nutrients are used, waste products are
removed by the kidneys and excreted through urine, while solid waste
is eliminated through the rectum.”
6. Encourage Questions:
○ After explaining each organ and the interactions, invite students to ask
questions for clarification.
 ○ Address any misconceptions or uncertainties they might have based on their
group discussions or previous knowledge.
7. Summarize Key Points:
○ Conclude the Explain segment by summarizing the main points:
■ “Today, we’ve learned about the key organs of the digestive system,
their functions, and how they interact with other systems in our body
to ensure we get the nutrients we need while eliminating waste.”
8. Transition to the Elaborate Segment:
○ Inform students that they will now have the opportunity to apply what
they’ve learned by creating presentations that demonstrate their
understanding of the interactions between the digestive system and other
body systems.
By following this detailed flow, the Explain segment effectively conveys essential
information about the digestive system while encouraging student engagement and
understanding through visual aids and interactive discussion.