Things to make ahead of time:
ALIMENTARY CANAL: Lay out two parallel lines of tape on the floor, 3' apart and long enough for the class to stand shoulder to shoulder on both sides of the parallel lines (or you can use a section of the hallway or the sidewalk outside)
FOOD PARTICLE: The food particle consists of several wrapped lifesavers placed in snack-sized zip-lock bags.

2-3 of these are placed in wadded newspapers in each small paper lunch bag.
2-3 of these are place in paper grocery bags with added newspaper.

All of these are placed in a large plastic garbage bag with enough newspaper to fill. Be sure there will be enough candy to go around.

This bag is then taped or tied closed to complete the food particle.

DIGESTION ROLES: Create labels out of index cards for each organ and attach safety pins for attaching to their shirt front. Cut out the instructions below – use a paper cutter to trim the paper down the center, then cut between the individual roles. Glue the instructions on the back of each index card label, then use a marker to write the name of the organ on the front of the card for each player – make additional cards if more than one student will have the same role or combine roles for large intestine and small intestine and other structures for fewer students. Gather “tools” for their role and place them together with the labels.

Activity: Arrange the students in a chain along the “alimentary canal” in the order given. They should be wearing their label and have their “tools”. Place the “food particle” near the “tongue”. As the food moves down the chain to the next student they should narrate what they are doing and why.

Processing: When done, have them review their roles as they eat the candy. Add in problem solving questions: what if the food was all starch (or fat, or protein) – what would change? What if I had diabetes? Etc.

Adapted from the work of Bobbin Cave at AccessExcellence@ the National Health Museum http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEC/AEF/1995/cave_digest.html