The Heart and the Circulatory System - Teacher Explanation

Welcome to Lesson 6.1, where we delve into the heart and circulatory system as part of the Year 6 unit on animals, including humans. In alignment with the National Curriculum, pupils will learn to identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system and understand the functions of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. This lesson is particularly sensitive to those with heart and respiratory conditions, who may need to be excused from certain physical activities. Cross-curricular opportunities arise, allowing pupils to explore history through the work of William Harvey, use maths to graph experimental results, and create a poster of the circulatory system, incorporating art.

The lesson begins with an activity where pupils will explore the circulatory system, requiring learning pads, scissors, lining paper, markers, glue, and blue and red wool to create a visual representation. They will learn the difference between arteries and veins, the high pressure in arteries compared to veins, and the unique properties of cardiac muscle. The lesson also includes a hands-on activity to build a model heart, demonstrating the flow of blood through the circulatory system. Pupils will reflect on the effectiveness of their model and consider improvements, fostering critical thinking. Further activities include researching blood to produce an informative PowerPoint presentation and investigating the impact of exercise on heart rate, giving pupils a practical understanding of how the heart functions in response to physical activity.