Unit 1 Lesson 2: Systems Are Everywhere | Y8 Systems

Ngā Mahi - Lesson Activities (75 minutes)

1. What is a System? (15 mins)

Teacher-led discussion: Introduce the three key parts of any system:

Parts: The individual components or elements.
Connections: The relationships between the parts.
Purpose: What the system does or achieves.

Example: A Bicycle. Parts (wheels, frame, pedals), Connections (chain connects pedals to wheel), Purpose (transportation).

Activity: "Systems Spotting Game." In 1 minute, how many systems can students spot in the classroom? (e.g., the lighting system, the desk system, the human body system).

2. Draw Your System (30 mins)

Creative Task: Students choose one system they are a part of and draw it. They must label the parts, the connections, and the overall purpose.

System Ideas:

My family system
My sports team system
The school bus system
A video game system (e.g., Fortnite)
A local park ecosystem

Differentiation:

Support: Provide a template with boxes for "Parts," "Connections," and "Purpose."
Extension: Ask students to add a "What if?" scenario to their drawing (e.g., "What if one part was removed?").

3. Gallery Walk & Sharing (20 mins)

Students place their drawings around the room. In small groups, they do a "gallery walk" to see each other's work. Each student shares their drawing with their small group, explaining the parts, connections, and purpose.

Aromatawai - Assessment & Next Steps

Formative Assessment

Can students define "system" in their own words?
Do their drawings correctly identify parts, connections, and purpose?
Can they explain how a change in one part affects the whole system?

Homework & Extension

Find a news story about a system that is broken (e.g., a healthcare system, a transportation system).
Explain a system to a family member.

Whakaaro - Reflection

Seeing the world as a series of systems is like gaining a superpower. Instead of seeing separate, unrelated things, you start to see the hidden connections and patterns all around you. This is the first step to understanding how our world works, and how we can work to change it for the better.