Subject: Science

Grade: 5^th

Time needed: 45 minutes

1. Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Make their own observations about the structure of the human heart.
2. Trace the flow of blood through the human heart.

• Heart transparency
• Overhead projector
• Copies of pages 102 and 103 of the text Science Explorer: Human Biology and Health published by Prentice Hall
• Computer with Internet access
• Hands-on heart model and direction sheet
• Small prizes

Introduction and Motivation:

Place the overhead of the heart on the projector and ask students to state some of their observations. Some questions to ask the students include:

• How many different areas or chambers does the heart have?
• Based on what we know about the color of blood when it is carrying oxygen and when it is lacking oxygen, where do you think the different arteries lead to in the body?
• Which way does the blood flow through the heart and what gives you clues about that?
• Why is the muscle thicker surrounding the ventricles?
• Etc.

Be sure not to comment on the correctness of their observations. Students will revisit their observations after reading the text and be able to assess their observations.

Content to be covered: 

During this lesson, students will be introduced to the human heart.

Student Activities:

After students have made their observations, pass out the handouts of pages 102 and 103 of the textbook. As a class, read the pages aloud. Hold a brief discussion about the information presented. Allow students time to ask any questions they may have. Prompt the students to return back to the observations they made prior to reading the text. Were any of their observations incorrect? Were any of their observations right on? Are there any other observations they can now make after reading the text? Etc.

After the class discussion, on the classroom computer, go to the website: http://www.medtropolis.com/VBody.asp

Turn on the overhead television monitor to allow the entire class to view what is on the computer screen. Click on the "Narrated Tour" link and watch the tour as a class. While watching, discuss as a class what the students are viewing and ask for any questions. If time allows, replay the Narrated Tour.

Independent Practice:

Pass out the "hands-on heart model" and direction sheet to each student. Explain that their homework tonight is to create their model. Go over the directions as a whole class and ask for any questions. If there is any remaining time in class, allow students to begin creating their model.

 

Before the students leave class, play a quick quiz game on what they learned. Ask questions such as, when blood leaves the right ventricle, where does it go? What chambers of the heart does blood enter into? What stops blood from flowing backwards in the heart? Etc.

Pass out small prizes for correct answers.

During class discussions, sometimes not every student participates. Use name sticks and pull students names to answer your questions or for them to contribute to the discussion. This will also help to keep everyone’s attention.

1. It was evident from the class discussion that students are able to make observations. It was encouraging to witness students that usually do not participate making observations and sharing them with the class.

2. After viewing the Narrated Tour on the computer, students were eager to discuss what they were learning. It was exciting to see students engaged in a discussion that was not dominated by the teacher.

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