Download Fifth Grade

UCFSD Fifth Grade Health Education
Fifth grade health education focuses on five systems of the body.
Digestive, circulatory, respiratory, reproductive and immune systems
are covered throughout the school year. Students are expected to
identify and describe the structure and function of each system.
As students explore the digestive system they will follow a piece of
food through the organs of the digestive system. The esophagus,
stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver and pancreas will be
examined. Chemical and mechanical breakdown of food so that cells
can use the nutrients as fuel for growth and development will be
discussed. Students will have the opportunity to see many of the
internal organs in action.
Following a look at the digestive system fifth graders will examine the
circulatory system. The following are important concepts the students
will learn about the circulatory system:
• The circulatory system is responsible for transporting materials
throughout the body.
• The heart is an amazing organ responsible for pumping the
blood.
• There are miles of different types of blood vessels in the body.
• Arteries carry blood away from the heart.
• Capillaries are where the exchange of oxygen and carbon
dioxide take place between the cells and the blood.
• Veins return the blood to the heart.
• White blood cells, red blood cells, plasma and platelets are
components of the blood.
• Red blood cells carry oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• White blood cells help fight germs.
• Platelets help the blood to clot.
• Plasma is the liquid component of the blood.
• Blood pressure is a way to monitor the health of your circulatory
system.
• Heart disease kills more people than any other disease and that
we can help keep our heart healthy by exercising, eating
healthy and not smoking.
During the study of the respiratory system, students will understand
that the lungs are the primary organs of respiration. Respiration
equals breathing; inhaling and exhaling. The exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide will be discussed. Students will examine a model of
the diaphragm conceptualizing how the diaphragm enables the lungs
to inflate and deflate.
The final two units of study revolve around the reproductive and
immune systems. Comprehensive information concerning the
reproductive and immune systems can be found online at:
UCFSD Reproductive System Online Curriculum
UCFSD Immune System Online Curriculum