Intro to the Cardiovascular System Hybrid Lesson

Divide the class into three groups and assign them each a starting station. Students will spend 20 minutes at each station and then rotate to the next.

1) Independent Station
Give students a list of terms that have to do with the cardiovascular system. Have each student individually look up the definition of each term on their own computer or device.
Important Terms (can vary)
1. Veins
2. Arteries
3. Capillaries
4. Circulation
5. Heart
6. Oxygen
...

Students will take the terms and use the definitions as the clue in the online crossword puzzle maker (http://www.abcya.com/crossword_puzzle_maker.htm)

You can have them print the crossword puzzle as evidence of completion.

2) Collaborative Station
Have students work in pairs or small groups in order to share the stethoscopes and use them to find their pulse in different locations on their bodies. Have them check mark each one as they find it.

neck (carotid artery)___
wrist (radial artery) ___
behind the knee (popliteal artery)___
near the ankle joint (posterior tibial artery)___
and on foot (dorsalis pedis artery)___

When they are done locating each location, use the easiest one to find the BPM of their partner. (Beats per minute) After they record the BPM, then do 25 jumping jacks and record the BPM of your partner again. Give different exercises to make sure kids don't finish early.

3) Teacher Centered Station
Use the following outline to discuss key topics and to make sure all students have a BASIC understanding of the cardiovascular system to take home with them. This will be easier to do because the groups were cut down and you will only have a small group to connect with.

Veins - They pump blood into the heart (Hint: Vein has the word IN in it)
Artery - They pump blood away from the heart (Hint: Artery starts with A, so does Away)
Capillaries - This is where the blood in the veins and arteries give oxygen to muscles and other parts of our body that needs them.
Heart - The engine of the body, without the engine, the body cannot run.
Oxygen - explain why our body needs it and how it is circulated through the veins and arteries.

*Use a projector if you have to show them images of each thing and extend the conversation by letting them ask questions about what they see

Then do a group demonstration of how blood flows through the body.
- Have two students hold hands and face each other. Have them expand and contract back and forth and say that they are the heart pumping.
- Have one student go inside when they expand, and shoot out the other side with they contrast. Have him go around the two in the middle back to the other side where he started.
- Depending on how many students have a line going quickly and pumping in and out of the students that are the heart.
(Use more or less students together as blood or make the heart bigger depending on the number of students)

Explain to them that this is how the heart sends our blood out through our arteries and in through our veins.


At the end of class have everyone come together to discuss all three stations and the key points.