Explore Kits: Circulation

GRADES 4-6

In the basic lesson, students will listen to their heart beat using a stethoscope, simulate the heart and veins using Play-Doh and vinyl tubing, trace the path of blood flow using a body chart, and learn the basic components of blood by “making” blood using household items.

In the advanced lesson, students will identify the important structures of the heart and circulatory system by observing an animal heart and be able to describe how the circulatory system works. The students will understand the difference between resting and active heart rates and design a group experiment to test their knowledge. Using the outline of a student on butcher paper, the students will draw, label, and explain the different parts of the circulatory system and how blood flows.

STATE STANDARDS

1.1: Develop abilities necessary to safely conduct scientific inquiry, including asking questions about objects, events, and organisms in the environment.

• Make observation using the five senses

• Record observations by drawing or orally explaining

3.1: Identify that plants and animals have structures and systems that serve functions for growth, survival, and reproduction.

• List characteristics of living organisms (body systems)

EQUIPMENT PROVIDED IN THE KIT

• Circulatory Chart

• Cross-section heart – foam model

• 6 stethoscopes

• Large plastic heart model

• Tubing (artery/vein)

• Heart Term Cards

• 3 Small Heart Charts

• Red Beads

• White Beads

• Blue-green Beads

• Pacemaker

DOWNLOADS

• Lesson Plan Circulatory System Grades 4-6

• Heart Diagram (figure 1)