Noninfectious Diseases Overview

Grade Level

7th Grade

Duration

45 minutes

Class Size

15 students

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Unit

Understanding the Immune System (Lesson 2 of 6)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Explain the difference between infectious and noninfectious diseases.
• Identify examples of noninfectious diseases such as diabetes and allergies.
• Describe common causes and risk factors of noninfectious diseases.
• Analyze how lifestyle choices can impact health and susceptibility to noninfectious diseases.

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Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Alignment

• MS-LS1-3: Use argument supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.
• MS-LS1-4: Use a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy as this matter moves through the system. (Supports understanding of body processes affected by diseases.)
• MS-LS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function. (Background for immune system interaction.)
• Crosscutting Concept: Cause and Effect: Students explore causes of diseases and health outcomes based on lifestyle choices.
• Disciplinary Core Idea LS1.A: Structure and Function of Cells.
• Disciplinary Core Idea LS1.C: Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms.

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Materials Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector or smartboard
• Printed index cards with disease names and causes (mixed infectious and noninfectious)
• Student Science Journals or notebooks
• Colored pencils/markers
• "Disease Detective" activity sheets
• Timer or stopwatch

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Engage/Hook (5 minutes)

• Prompt: Begin with a quick write in Science Journals:
  “Think about diseases you have heard of. Are all diseases caused by germs? Why or why not?”
• Briefly discuss student responses.
• Teacher shows a slide with two columns titled “Infectious Diseases” and “Noninfectious Diseases” with student suggestions filling in.
• Clarify definitions to set stage for lesson.

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2. Explore (10 minutes)

• Activity: Disease Sorting Challenge
• Distribute index cards where half have names of infectious diseases (e.g., flu, chickenpox) and half noninfectious diseases (e.g., asthma, diabetes).
• In pairs, students sort cards into Infectious and Noninfectious piles then identify causes on the back of the card.
• Circulate and prompt them to discuss:
  What is causing each disease? How is it spread or caused?
• Regroup and review the sorting outcomes.

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3. Explain (10 minutes)

• Teacher presents a concise interactive mini-lecture using a smartboard/slides:
  • Definition of noninfectious diseases: diseases not caused by pathogens but by genetics, environmental factors, lifestyle, or allergies.
  • Contrast with infectious diseases: caused by harmful microorganisms.
  • Examples highlighted:
    • Diabetes: chronic condition related to insulin regulation, affected by genetics and lifestyle (e.g., diet, exercise).
    • Allergies: immune system response to non-harmful substances, influenced by genetics and environment.
  • Emphasize lifestyle factors: nutrition, exercise, avoiding smoking, managing stress.
• Incorporate a short video clip (~2 minutes) showing how lifestyle impacts health.

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4. Elaborate (12 minutes)

• "Disease Detective" Case Study Activity
• Students individually work on a one-page worksheet that presents a scenario of a person with a noninfectious disease (e.g., a teenager managing Type 1 diabetes or a child with severe allergies).
• Tasks:
  • Identify the disease and cause.
  • List lifestyle recommendations that could help improve or manage health.
  • Draw a quick sketch or diagram showing how their body might be affected.
• After 8 minutes, pairs discuss their case study answers briefly.

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5. Evaluate (6 minutes)

• Exit Ticket — On a small card or in journal, students write:
  • One difference between infectious and noninfectious diseases.
  • One way lifestyle changes help prevent or manage noninfectious diseases.
• Collect exit tickets as formative assessment.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Provide printed notes/slides to students who need extra support.
• Use visuals and real-life examples to engage diverse learners.
• Pair stronger readers/writers with peers for collaborative tasks.
• For advanced students, challenge them to research another noninfectious disease after class.

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Reflection for Teacher

• Note which concepts students struggled with during sorting and case studies.
• Use exit tickets to modify lessons 3-6 if needed, adding more examples or clarifications.

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Extensions and Cross-curricular Connections

• Health/P.E.: Collaborate with PE teacher to discuss how exercise affects chronic disease prevention.
• English Language Arts: Write a short informational essay about a chosen noninfectious disease.
• Technology: Create digital presentations on lifestyle and health impacts.

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Summary

This lesson equips 7th graders with a foundational understanding of noninfectious diseases, their causes, and the role lifestyle choices play in health. It aligns closely with NGSS standards emphasizing cause and effect in biological systems, preparing students to explore the immune system through an integrated systems approach in upcoming lessons.