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Body Lab 3-5 / Week 11 / Wednesday
3/6
Week 11 · Body Defenders

Wednesday

White blood cells
// Skin, tears, mucus and white blood cells
⏱ about 15 min

Wednesday: White Blood Cells

Rocket builds a tiny cardboard castle. "Germs got past the wall!" he says. "Now what?"

Raven points at the gate. "What do you notice? Castles have guards inside too."

Nova circles the castle tower. "Your blood carries guards of its own," she says.

"Guards in my blood?" Rocket says. "I need to know more!"

Your immune system

Immune means protected.

Your immune system is a team of cells, tissues and organs. They work together to protect your body.

White blood cells are a key part of the team.

Your blood carries white blood cells all around your body.

They are also found in the spleen, an organ in your belly.

And they are in bone marrow, a thick, spongy jelly inside bones.

Two kinds of helpers

White blood cellIts job
Phagocytes (FAH-guh-sites)Gobble up germs that get inside
Lymphocytes (LIM-fuh-sites)Help the body remember germs it has met before

Remembering is a big deal. It helps your body be ready if the same germ comes back.

MEET THE GUARDS
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which white blood cells gobble up germs?
Which white blood cells help the body remember germs?
What carries white blood cells around the body?
StatementTrue or false?
The immune system is made of cells, tissues and organs.?
White blood cells are found in bone marrow.?
All white blood cells do the very same job.?
Immune means protected.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEThe immune system has many parts, and different white blood cells have different jobs.

Help your defenders

You can help your immune system every day.

  • Wash your hands well and often.
  • Eat healthy foods.
  • Get plenty of exercise.
  • Get enough sleep. Some defender cells work harder while you sleep.
For a grown-up
Regular checkups help kids stay well. For questions about checkups or shots, ask a doctor or nurse.
THE DEFENSE TEAM, OUTSIDE TO INSIDE
  • Tap a card.
  • Then tap its spot.
1First
2Next
3Then
4Last
Germ-gobbling white blood cells are ____.
White blood cells ride in your ____.
Name one thing you can do to help your immune system.
WHY THIS EXERCISEHandwashing, healthy food, exercise and sleep all help your defenders.
Try it
Make a defender team poster.
Give each defender a job title: wall, trap, washer or guard.

Wonderful work! Tomorrow we learn the one habit that helps your defenders the most: handwashing.

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