Mississippi Science HAP.4.5
The Standard
- HAP.4
- Students will investigate the structures and functions of the skeletal system including the cause and effect of diseases and disorders.
Construct explanations detailing how mechanisms (e.g., Ca2+ regulation) are used by the skeletal system to maintain homeostasis.
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Skeletal System
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Explain how bones store calcium while the body keeps blood calcium within a narrow range. Trace how parathyroid hormone increases calcium release from bone when blood levels fall. Show how rising blood calcium slows that response.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given a low blood calcium reading, students predict more parathyroid hormone and more calcium release from bone. They can explain why hormone levels fall as blood calcium recovers.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think calcium is only for building bones, not for muscle and nerve function. Some reverse the feedback loop and say low blood calcium lowers parathyroid hormone.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Blood calcium drops. Draw arrows showing what happens next to parathyroid hormone, calcium release from bone, and blood calcium. What slows the response?
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs cups labeled bone and blood, plus 12 beans; have them move beans after drawing a low blood calcium card.
Ask partners to challenge the claim, 'Bones only provide support,' using blood calcium and a feedback arrow.
Give teams cards labeled low blood calcium, increased parathyroid hormone, bone calcium release, and restored blood calcium to arrange in order.
Show a mock chart with low calcium intake, normal blood calcium, and declining bone density; ask students to explain the pattern.
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Printable HAP.4.5 Worksheet
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Related Standards
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Model specific mechanisms through which the endocrine system maintains homeostasis (e.g., insulin/glucagon and glucose regulation; T3 / T4 and metabolic rates; ...
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- HAP.3.2
Investigate specific mechanisms (e.g., feedback and temperature regulation) through which the skin maintains homeostasis.
- HAP.14.1
Understand the structure and function of the urinary system in relation to maintenance of homeostasis.
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