Lesson overview

In this lesson students come to the end of their Google Expedition exploration of the respiratory system, they will identify three respiratory system diseases and explain their causes and effects.

Learning outcomes

• Be able to name at least three respiratory system diseases and explain their causes and effects

Lesson steps

1. Introduction (10 mins)
   Establish students’ prior knowledge as they probably have heard of respiratory system problems like lung cancer, asthma, etc. Write a list on the board. Correct misunderstandings or incorrect use of vocabulary.
   Explain that students will be learning about different diseases and applying their knowledge about the heart to these situations.
   
2. Expedition (20 mins)
   For each disease pupils should think about the following information: Which part(s) of the respiratory system is / are affected? What is the role of this / these part(s) of the respiratory system? How does their function / structure change if a person has this disease?
   Distribute the Student Sheet which has some limited information about the respiratory diseases (see the Lesson resource section).
   Students search which scene is relevant to this disease then draw / take a screenshot of the ‘normal’ area of the respiratory system. They should then draw a cartoon / comic to show what happens to this structure of the respiratory system when it has the disease on their card.
   
   Students use the website list on the worksheet for extra information. Students exchange cards at least 3 times to gain information about three diseases.
   
3. Activity (30 mins)
   Lead a class discussion on which respiratory system diseases are caused by problems in the: bronchi, bronchioles, mouth and nasal cavity and alveoli.
   Students select a disease to investigate further and produce a poster or leaflet about this disease to be displayed in a Doctor’s surgery.
4. Extension
   Students research treatment for these diseases.
   Students research additional diseases.
   Students research lung transplants and write about advantages / disadvantages.

England

Key Stage 3/4 Science

• The structure and functions of the gas exchange system in humans, including adaptations to function
• The mechanism of breathing to move air in and out of the lungs, using a pressure model to explain the movement of gases, including simple measurements of lung volume
• The impact of exercise, asthma and smoking on the human gas exchange system