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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

Lesson Plan Source

National Standards

Science:
  NS.5-8.3
  NS.9-12.3

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