Subjects
Grade
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
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computer access to, or a printout of, A Circulatory System Relay
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poster or drawing of the lungs
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playground chalk or masking tape
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five inflated red balloons and five inflated blue balloons for each team
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transparency of Circulatory System Relay Simulation (optional)
Lesson Plan
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Set up the relay course according to the directions at A Circulatory System Relay.
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Review with students the parts of the circulatory system.
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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.
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Explain the rules of the race and demonstrate the path they will take.
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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