Blood Circulation Through Heart
Lesson Plan

Grade Levels: 6-8

Lesson Submitted by: Roger Brown brownr@nharmony.k12.in.us

Time: 2-3 days

Objective:

After viewing the web page on the heart and discussing the heart in class the students will gain a knowledge of how the blood circulates through the heart.

Materials Needed:

• Computer with internet access
• 8" X 11" cardboard or poster board
• String or yarn - 16" long
• Paint - either Tempera or Acrylic
• Clay - buy commercially or make your own
• Bottle of White Glue

Homemade Clay Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup salt
• 3 to 4 handfuls of shredded newspaper
• 1 cup of water

Directions:

Shred newspaper through shredder and then tear or cut into smaller pieces. Mix flour, salt, and shredded newspaper together. The water should be added a little at a time. Use your hands to mix until the mixture is similar to a natural clay. You can add more water or flour if needed to make it more like clay.You can make the clay ahead of time and store in refrigerator for 2 or 3 days before needed. This should make enough clay for 2 or 3 groups or individuals. The amount will depend on the size of project.

Activity Description:

Have each student view the web page on the heart structure and discuss in class the path of the blood circulation through the heart. To reinforce the blood circulation path have each student make a flat cross-section model. The student should first draw a sketch of the heart on a 8" X 11" piece of cardboard or poster board. The sketch will help the student form the shape of the heart.

Next the student should take the clay, which can be made from the recipe that was included above in the Material List, and form it into a heart shape the size of their sketch. The homemade clay will take 24 to 48 hours to dry. After the clay is dry, the model can be painted with Tempera or Acrylic paint.

All chambers and blood vessels need to be labeled. Now use the string or yarn to show the path of blood circulation through the heart. You can attach the string or yarn with white glue.

After the model is completed, the student should write a one or two paragraph description that explains the circulation of the blood as it is pumped through the heart.

Assessment:

The following rubric can be used to assess the work of the students.

5. Student's work is excellent. The model is correctly defined and path of blood is shown correctly. The written work is presented clearly with standard written English.

4. Student's model of the heart is adequate and the blood path is marked correctly. The written work is sufficient but could be developed more. Some elements need to be better developed.

3. Student's model of heart is completed but needs to be neater and lacks some of the elements. Written work needs to follow standard written English practices.

2. Student has worked on project but did not meet sufficient amount of requirements.

1. Student did not complete any of the assigned project.

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Cardiovascular System
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