Have students engage in online WebQuests that teach them about hair follicles and other parts of the body. WebQuests utilize the students' previous knowledge, teaching them new facts to apply in real-life settings. In the Tour of the Human Body WebQuest, available as a download in the science section at RPDP.net, students can label the hair follicle in a diagram of hair. A wide variety of WebQuests are available ar WebQuest.org.
Since the hair follicle is the part of the skin that grows hair, have students focus on the growth phases of the hair follicle, including anagen, catagen and telogen. Students can research the various phases then create a visual representation on the computer or by hand of the hair at different stages of growth. Have students present the information to the class or hang the pictures around the classroom.
Assign students projects on the structure of the hair follicle. They can make a model or diagram of the hair follicle. Give them creative freedom and let them use a medium of their choice, such as a graphic design program on the computer, modeling clay or poster board. They should include the parts of the hair follicle, such as the sebaceous gland, the papilla and the muscle fiber. Display the various depictions of the hair follicle around the classroom.
Have students investigate a topic regarding hair follicles that you did not cover in the classroom. Suggestions for topics include how hair follicles can be used to test for different types of drug usage, what the purpose of hair follicles is or different types of diseases of the hair follicles and their consequences. Have the students conduct research on the Internet and in the school library then share their findings with the class.