Lesson title

Tiny Gland Big Impact

Instructional Guide

Learners will begin to understand thyroid disease in the following ways:

• Location in the body
• Signs & symptoms
• Effect on the body
• Causes
• Treatment

This lesson will include a presentation followed by a choice of various interactive activities.

Intended Grade Level

9th-12th grade. Students should be familiar with metabolic function and general anatomy.

Learning objectives

• Students will be able to identify and locate the thyroid gland.
• Students will be able to describe normal thyroid function.
• Students will be able to discuss the impacts of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
• Students will be able to understand the common practice of treatment for thyroid disease.

Lesson Format

First, the students will work through a self-guided presentation with the information necessary to succeed in this lesson. Following the presentation, there is a crossword and image hotspot activity to practice what they have learned. After all of the activities have been completed, students will finish this lesson by completing an assessment. They will need to score at least an 80% to have completed the lesson. Additional links are provided at the end of the lesson to provide an opportunity for further exploration.

Time Frame: 30-50min

Group Size: The presentation and assessment will be individual effort. To promote a collaborative environment, he remainder of the lesson can be completed in small groups.

Supplies: Computer/tablet 

Lesson Background

Learning Objective 1

The thyroid glands (2) are found lateral (sides) of the trachea just caudal (towards the tail) to the larynx. These glands are longer than they are wide.

Learning Objective 2

Thyroid glands are tasked with the production and release of hormones that allow for metabolic function. T4 (thyroxine) is created by the thyroid glands and is released into the blood stream. It travels to the liver and kidneys to be converted into it’s active form, T3 (triiodothyronine).

T3 Functions:

• Regulate metabolism
• Stimulates peripheral nervous system
• Increases gastrointestinal (GI) tone and motility
• Reproductive health
• Regulates resting rates of cardiovascular system and respiration rates

In a normal functioning thyroid, the pituitary gland will release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which stimulates the thyroid to produce T4. The T4 becomes it’s active form in the liver and kidneys. When levels of T4 are too high, the brain signals the pituitary gland to stop production of TSH, therefore, limiting T4.

Learning Objective 3

Hypothyroidism: Causes low levels of T4 production. This results in weight gain, fatigue, constipation in GI tract, bradycardia (slowed heart rate), and integumentary inflammation (dry skin, hair loss, dull coat, etc.).

Hyperthyroidism: Causes high levels of T4 production. This results in weight loss, increased thirst, tachycardia (increased heart rate), GI tract inflammation (vomiting and diarrhea) and glandular enlargement.

Learning Objective 4

Common Diagnostics: Total T4 blood test (total thyroxine), T4 blood test, physical palpation and clinical signs.

Thyroid diseases are medically managed, however, there are no cures for these diseases. When an animal is placed on medical intervention, follow-up care and monitoring is necessary to moderate the thyroid function and other impacted organs.

Activities

The first activity should be completed as individuals and should take 10 min to complete. This is a self guided presentation that has embedded questions to check for understanding of the student. If there are any challenging questions, they should be reviewed as a class before continuing the lesson.

The second activity should be completed in small groups and will take 10-15 minutes to complete. Students should use the information provided in the presentation to complete the crossword.

The third activity should be done in small groups. One of the structures is the parathyroid. Inform the students what the prefix para- means (alongside, beside, near). The parathyroid functions in the release of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, but does not contribute to the function of the thyroid.

Common misconceptions and challenge points

The thyroid glands release T4, but that is not the active form. T4 travels through the blood stream to become the active form, T3, in the liver and the kidneys. While the parathyroid gland is connected to the thyroid gland, it has a completely different function in the body.

Assessment

This assessment should be completed alone and after all other activities. This should be used as a check of the students’ understanding of the lesson and taken without use of notes.