Download Elementary Science 5E+ Lesson Plan Cycle

Elementary Science 5E+ Lesson Plan Cycle
Grade: 5th Subject: Living Systems
Topic:
Cardiovascular System
Goals: Students will investigate what the circulatory system is and why is important for the
human body to function normally.
Expected Outcomes:
1. Students will learn the basic anatomy and function of the cardiovascular system
2. Students will learn the function of blood within the circulatory system
3. Students will identify the parts of the circulatory system according to their organization of
functioning
ENGAGE
How the Cardiovascular System Works and Why
Purpose of Activity: Students will learn more about the cardiovascular/circulatory system by
listening to a description of what the cardiovascular system is made of and how it functions. In this
short description, there is also a short two minute video to preview.
http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/heart.html#
Materials: Smart Board and internet services for classroom
Instructional Plan/Directions: Explain that the circulatory or cardiovascular system is very important
because it helps our body to function normally and regularly.
Key Questions: What is the cardiovascular or circulatory system?
What different organs inside the body depend on the cardiovascular system
to function properly?
--------------------------------------------------------------------EXPLORE
Measuring Pulse Before and After Exercise
Purpose of Activity: This activity helps students understand that the pulse felt in an artery or the
wrist or neck corresponds to the beating of the heart.
Materials: Break up students into cooperative groups of 2 or 3. Each group will need a stopwatch or
a clock with a second hand, pencil and paper.
Instructional Plan/Directions: Remind students that the pulse felt in the artery of the wrist
corresponds to the beating of the heart. Have them feel for the pulse and find the pulse in the wrist
using index and middle finger of the opposite arm. Make sure they each can find their pulse before
activity begins. Provide each group of students with stopwatches or a clock with a second-hand.
Challenge students to hypothesize what effect exercise will have on their heart rates. Have them
first count the heart beats for thirty seconds. Have them record the number of beats for thirty
seconds at rest. Then have them perform 20 jumping jacks and recheck their pulse for thirty
minutes. Have them calculate this number as well. After each person in the group has performed
this task and has collected their data, have them share with each other and then with the entire class.
Key Questions: Why does our heart beat get faster or slower depending on what we are doing?
Why is it good to have our heart beat increase?
Are there other times when our heart beat may increase besides during exercise?
--------------------------------------------------------------------EXPLAIN
The circulatory system transports oxygen, nutrients, and wastes through the body in the blood.
The liquid part of the blood, called plasma, is mostly water. It also contains dissolved nutrients and
waste products, such as carbon dioxide. The solid part of the blood includes red blood cells and
white blood cells. Red blood cells absorb oxygen from the air in the lungs and transport it to every
cell in the body. White blood cells help the body fight infection. They attack and destroy viruses
and infections, and bacteria that enter the body.
Blood also contains platelets. These are tiny pieces of blood cells inside membranes. Platelets
cause blood to clot when a blood vessel is cut. They also help repair damage to blood vessels.
The heart, an organ made of muscle tissue, pumps blood through vessels. The heart has four
chambers, or parts. Oxygen-rich blood from the lungs enters one chamber. It moves to the next
chamber, from which it is pumped to the body. Oxygen-poor blood from the body enters the third
chamber. It moves to the fourth chamber, form which it is pumped to the lungs
Blood leaves the heart through blood vessels called arteries. Arteries lead to capillaries.
Capillaries are blood vessels so small that blood cells have to move through them in single file.
There are capillaries throughout the body, so nutrient and oxygen can reach every cell. Waste
products from cells are picked up by plasma in the capillaries. Capillaries lead to larger vessels,
called veins, which return blood to the heart.
--------------------------------------------------------------------ELABORATE
How Do We Know How Heart is Working?
Purpose of Activity: Students will hear their heartbeat.
Materials: (specify per class, individual or group) One stethoscope per pair of students
Set-up Tips: (optional)
Instructional Plan/Directions: Use a stethoscope to let each child listen to her own heart. As they do
so, explain that in some animals the heart beats very slowly, while in others it beats very quickly.
Use a chart to show the different heart rates in the animal kingdom. If you do not have a stethoscope,
show your students how to find their pulses (on their necks or wrists) then tell them to count how
many beats their heart makes a minute. Review with students that exercise will make the heart beat
count increase.
The following two sites will also help with this activity:
http://www.ehow.com/how_8374320_teach-blood-circulation-kids.html#ixzz22pIzaOBF
http://www.smm.org/heart/lessons/lesson10.htm
Heart and Circulatory System Guide
The following guide offers nine activities that help students understand the heart and circulatory
system. Using examples from current research on human space travel, this guide engages students in
authentic questions and investigations. This guide covers the cardiovascular system well and is an
excellent resource during study of this human body system.
http://www.nsbri.org/EDUCATION-and-TRAINING/Teaching-Resources/Elementary/Heart-andCirculation/
Key Questions: How does a stethoscope work?
How do you know your heart is beating?
--------------------------------------------------------------------EVALUATE
Observe students as they work in cooperative groups. Take anecdotal notes on their performance in
the group and if they are working cooperatively and taking share of the work, following instructions
and recording data. Also observe how they interact. Encourage students to exercise patience with
those who are slower at making observations.
Recommend that students start charts for each body system they will study during the “Human Body
Systems” Unit. The charts should have spaces for the names of the organs if each system and that
system’s main functions. Students should complete charts as they study the systems and retain the
charts to help them study. Encourage students to use a computer, ipod or ipad program to construct
their charts. Look for completeness and see that all organs are itemized correctly throughout the unit
as each body system is discussed.
Key Questions: What effects does the heart beating have on the body?
What does the effect of exercise have on your heart rate?
Why is our blood circulating in our body important?