Lesson overview

In this lesson students continue their exploration of the circulatory system, labelling a diagram of the internal structures and identifying how many chambers and valves the human has and what they are called.

Learning outcomes

• To be able to label the internal structure of the human heart
• To be able to show the direction of blood flow inside the heart
• To state the purpose of the heart valves
• To describe the differences between the left and right side of the heart

Lesson steps

1. Introduction (20 mins)
   Recap content from previous lesson and test class on vocabulary and meaning. Pose the following questions that students answer during the expedition: How many chambers does the human heart have? In which chambers does the blood arrive to the heart? What are the two large chambers called? What are the names of the heart valves? What is the purpose of the heart valves? How and why are the left and right sides of the heart different?
   
2. Expedition (20 mins)
   Lead the students through the expedition to discover the information to complete their diagrams of the internal heart structure.
   Students use the Student Sheet found in the Lesson resources section to label the heart diagram and answer as many of the above questions as possible.
   
3. Activity (20 mins)
   Students share their work with peers for peer assessment.
   Lead class demonstration inviting students to the board to complete an animation.
   Explain “How and why are the left and right sides of the heart different?”
   
   Invite students to estimate how much blood their hearts pump per minute. Adding a list on the board of student’s names and estimates. The class time a minute and observe the animation showing the volume of blood pumped over time. Note the volume on the board and models calculating how much blood the average human heart pumps per hour (i.e. volume per minute x60).
   Students calculate; How much blood the average human heart pumps per hour (volume per minute x60). How much blood the average human heart pumps per day (volume per hour x24). How much blood the average human heart pumps per year (volume per day x365). Invite students to work out the problems above in front to the class and correct any misconceptions.
4. Extension
   Dissect a heart (in accordance with health and safety guidelines in your country). Students investigate single circulatory systems and how they are different.
   Students investigate heart diseases problems to prepare themselves for lesson four in this sequence (see above).

England

Key Stage 3/4 Science

• The relationship between the structure and functions of the human circulatory system