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Run the Circulatory System Relay

Subjects

  • Science

Grade

  • 6-8
  • 9-12

Brief Description

Students participate in a relay race through the circulatory system.

Objectives

Students understand how blood travels through the circulatory system.

Keywords

heart, circulatory system, relay race, blood cells

Materials Needed

  • computer access to, or a printout of, A Circulatory System Relay
  • poster or drawing of the lungs
  • playground chalk or masking tape
  • five inflated red balloons and five inflated blue balloons for each team
  • transparency of Circulatory System Relay Simulation (optional)

Lesson Plan

  • Set up the relay course according to the directions at A Circulatory System Relay.
  • Review with students the parts of the circulatory system.
  • Organize students into teams of five and tell them they are going to have a relay race to see which team can complete a race of the circulatory system in the shortest amount of time.
  • Explain the rules of the race and demonstrate the path they will take.
  • Have each team run the race. Begin timing each team when the first student enters the left ventricle and stop when the last student enters the left atrium. Keep a record to see which team circulates through the system most efficiently.

Extension: Ask students to write a creative story following a red blood cell though the circulatory system. Encourage students to include the major parts of the circulatory system as characters in the story.

Note: The entire activity, with complete directions and background information for teachers, is available at A Circulatory System Relay.

Assessment

Not applicable

Lesson Plan Source

www.pdcfaculty.org

National Standards

Science:
  NS.5-8.3
  NS.9-12.3

Updated 1/31/2012