Integumentary and Endocrine Systems Unit – Biology, Body Systems, Skin, Hormones

How does your skin protect you from daily threats — and how do your hormones quietly run the show behind the scenes?

In this engaging Integumentary & Endocrine Systems Unit, students uncover how the body’s largest organ and its chemical messengers work together to defend against outside dangers, regulate internal balance, and respond to changing needs. From analyzing skincare trends through a science lens to exploring hormone imbalances in real-world case studies, this unit makes biology both relevant and exciting for teens.

Students will learn how the skin acts as the body’s first line of defense, how major glands and hormones communicate through feedback loops, and what happens when things go wrong — like acne, stress responses, or endocrine disorders. With interactive activities, real-life scenarios, and a mix of visual and hands-on learning, this unit keeps students engaged while deepening their understanding of two often-overlooked but essential body systems.

Why Teachers Love This Resource:

• Makes body systems relatable and memorable – Uses real-life scenarios like skincare trends, stress responses, and hormone imbalances to help students connect science to their own lives.
• Breaks down complex systems into student-friendly language – Includes visually engaging slides, scaffolded guided notes, and interactive activities that build confidence and comprehension.
• Encourages critical thinking and application – From case studies to short-response reflection questions and differentiated quiz versions, students move beyond memorization to reasoning about homeostasis and system interactions.
• Ready to use – Fully prepped lessons, guided notes, activities, answer keys, and two versions of the quiz for differentiation.
• Aligned with NGSS – Covers feedback loops, hormone functions, skin protection, and the integration of body systems to maintain balance.

What’s Inside:

• 5-Day Pacing Guide – Includes lesson objectives, estimated timing, and suggested flow for all activities.
• Detailed Lesson Plans – Step-by-step instructions with background knowledge, materials and a breakdown for each lesson
• Skin – Your First Line of Defense Activity – Engaging reading and analysis of how skin protects the body and interacts with external stressors.
• Endocrine System Presentation & Notes – Clear, visually rich slides covering major glands, hormone functions, and feedback loops, plus guided and full notes.
• Hormone Target Match Activity – Students connect specific hormones to target organs and primary functions through an interactive, hands-on matching exercise.
• Hormone & Skin Case Studies – Real-world scenarios exploring stress, thyroid issues, acne, and other disruptions to homeostasis, with reflection prompts to deepen understanding.
• Endocrine & Integumentary Quiz – Two versions (standard and slightly more challenging) with multiple-choice and short-response questions to assess student comprehension and reasoning.
• Answer Keys & Teacher Guides – Complete answer keys for every activity and assessment, with tips for differentiation and classroom discussion strategies.

Help your students see how their skin and hormones are working 24/7 to keep them safe, balanced, and thriving — perfect for middle or high school biology and human body systems units.

⭐ Looking for quality resources and time-saving tips for your secondary science classroom?
☑ Follow Spectacular Science on TPT
☑ Subscribe to My Newsletter
☑ Check Out My Blog
☑ Follow Me on Instagram

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Thanks for visiting!
Jessica