Heart Lesson Plans

Students explore the heart. They discover how the heart works, practice taking their own pulse and complete an experiment in groups. Each group cuts apart an animal heart in a lab activity.

Students assume the role of a doctor, detective, and decision maker. They research the function of the heart, the diseases associated with the heart, and lifestyle choices that are heart healthy. Information gathered will be placed in a heart portfolio and used to create a board game.

Students explores the concept of valve operation. They examine how engineering adapted valves for use in mechanical heart valve design. They study several different valves used at home and in industry, and three different mechanical heart valve designs. They examine and operate both a ball valve and a experiment with a gate valve, then they work as a team of "engineers" to develop and sketch enhancements to the mechanical heart valve.

Students examine the primary controllable and uncontrollable factors that put one at greater risk for developing heart disease. Through discussion, research, physical tests, and questionnaires they determine whether or not they are at risk of some day having a heart attack. They explore how to make lifestyle choices that encourage good cardiovascular and general health.

Youngsters examine a "The Queen of Hearts" poster and vocabulary. They identify the elements of the poster, listen to the rhyme, and play the listening game. Afterward, they add the rhyme card to their "My Very Own Nursery Rhyme Collection".

Students explore the human heart. For this biology lesson, students view a Powerpoint presentation on the human heart and label the parts of the heart on a transparency. Students complete a vocabulary worksheet.

Students examine how social class affects health factors and outcomes by analyzing three case studies of heart attack patients. They reflect on the effects of commodifying health.

Students explore basic heart anatomy, review basic definition of heart disease, research different tests used to diagnose heart disease and heart attacks, discuss what constitutes a "healthy heart" lifestyle, and incorporate it into their daily habits. Students then prepare Powerpoint presentation on their research.

Students recognize, recite and role play the poem "The Queen of Hearts." In this Queen of Hearts lesson students practice rhyming words, complete a rebus and calculate the number of hearts taken and brought back.

Students explore heart healthy foods. In this health lesson plan, students read The Very Hungry Caterpillar and graph the foods the caterpillar ate. Students create a Venn diagram of "Heart Healthy Foods" versus "Junk Food."