Category: Learning Activity 2

Explore Our Interactive Circulatory System Slides
Have you ever wondered how blood travels around your body and delivers oxygen to every cell? In this lesson, we dive into the fascinating journey of blood through the heart, lungs, and the rest of your body. Get ready to learn about:

The Heart: Four chambers that pump blood in and out.

Major Blood Vessels: Arteries, veins, and capillaries, as well as how they each play a unique role.

Pulmonary vs. Systemic Circulation: Two loops that make sure your cells stay supplied with oxygen.

Ready to get started?

Click here to open The Circulatory System Slides

Feel free to explore each slide at your own pace. Watch for quick quizzes and interactive questions to check your understanding. Remember to jot down any interesting facts or questions you have. There will be a chance to discuss and share during our next live session!

How to Use These Slides

• Open the link above and follow the slides in order.
• Interact with the quizzes: Test your knowledge as you go.
• Take notes on any new terms or interesting details.

If you have any technical issues or questions, please reach out. Let’s unlock the secrets of the incredible heart and its hardworking blood vessels together!

Watch: “The Heart and Circulatory System – How They Work”

What Is It About?
This short video shows how your heart functions as a powerful pump, moving blood throughout the body. It explains:

• Heart Structure: The heart’s four chambers, how the right and left sides keep oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich blood separate, and why that matters.
• Valves & Flow: The role of valves in preventing backward flow, plus how the heart muscles contract and relax (systole and diastole).
• Oxygen Exchange: How oxygen-poor blood heads to the lungs and returns to the heart, rich in oxygen, ready to travel to the rest of the body.
• Electrical Conduction: The “wiring” that keeps your heart beating in a regular rhythm.
• Coronary Arteries: The blood vessels that nourish the heart itself.

Instructions
Watch the entire video carefully.

Take brief notes on any facts that stand out to you (e.g., how many times the heart beats in a day or what “systole” and “diastole” mean).

Answer the questions below after viewing.

1.

• Where in the body is the heart located?
  A. In the center of the chest, slightly to the left
  B. Directly in the middle of the abdomen
  C. On the right side of the chest
  D. Under the left rib, near the stomach

2.

• What is the primary function of the heart?
  A. To supply oxygen to the lungs
  B. To pump blood throughout the body
  C. To store blood for emergencies
  D. To filter out waste from the bloodstream

3.

• Which statement is true about the heart’s two sides?
  A. The division helps both sides contain only oxygen-rich blood
  B. The division prevents oxygen-rich blood from mixing with oxygen-poor blood
  C. The right side only receives blood from the lungs
  D. The left side only pumps blood to the lungs

4.

• Where does the right side of the heart send oxygen-poor (blue) blood?
  A. Back to the body
  B. To the brain
  C. To the lungs for oxygen
  D. Directly to the left side of the heart

5.

• When the blood returns from the lungs, it is:
  A. Still low in oxygen
  B. Now oxygen-rich (red)
  C. Mixed with oxygen-poor blood
  D. Ready to exit the body

6.

• Which of the following are the four valves of the heart mentioned in the video?
  A. Tricuspid, Mitral, Pulmonary, Aortic
  B. Tricuspid, Pulmonary, Cranial, Bicuspid
  C. Aortic, Vena Cava, Pulmonary, Mitral
  D. Coronary, Pulmonary, Tricuspid, Aortic

7.

• What do the heart valves do?
  A. Mix oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich blood
  B. Prevent blood from clotting
  C. Open one way to keep blood moving forward
  D. Close all chambers of the heart at once

8.

• Which term refers to the ‘contraction’ phase of the heart’s pumping action?
  A. Diastole
  B. Systole
  C. Atrial
  D. Ventricular

9.

• During diastole, what happens in the heart?
  A. The ventricles force blood into the lungs
  B. All valves slam shut
  C. The ventricles relax and fill with blood
  D. Blood leaves through the coronary arteries

10.

• What is the role of the heart’s electrical conduction system?
  A. To keep the heart beating in a coordinated rhythm
  B. To produce blood cells in the heart chambers
  C. To stop the heart from beating too quickly
  D. To blend oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood

Answers below

Make sure to complete the quiz before checking the answers!

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1.

• Answer: A
  Explanation: As stated in the video, the heart is located slightly left of center in your chest.

2.

• Answer: B
  Explanation: The heart’s primary function is to pump blood and circulate oxygen throughout the body.

3.

• Answer: B
  Explanation: The heart’s division stops oxygen-rich blood from mixing with oxygen-poor blood.

4.

• Answer: C
  Explanation: The right side of the heart sends oxygen-poor blood to the lungs through the pulmonary arteries.

5.

• Answer: B
  Explanation: After blood flows through the lungs, it becomes oxygen-rich (red) before returning to the heart.

6.

• Answer: A
  Explanation: The four valves in the video are the tricuspid, mitral, pulmonary, and aortic valves.

7.

• Answer: C
  Explanation: The valves open only one way, ensuring blood moves forward and doesn’t flow backward.

8.

• Answer: B
  Explanation: Systole refers to the contraction phase of the heart’s pumping action.

9.

• Answer: C
  Explanation: Diastole is when the ventricles relax and fill with blood coming from the atria.

10.

• Answer: A
  Explanation: The electrical conduction system keeps the heart beating in a coordinated, regular rhythm.

Overview

• Objective: Work in small groups to create a digital mind map of the heart and blood flow. Then, discuss each circulation step and share one healthy lifestyle practice that supports good circulation.
• Time: Approx. 25 minutes (including breakout/group work and live discussion).

Instructions for Students

1. Join Your Group
   • Check your assigned breakout room or group number.
   • Your teacher will tell you where to meet (online breakout, shared board link, or both).
2. Open the Shared Board
   • Click the link below to access our Virtual Mind Map Board.
   • Find the frame labelled with your group number/name.
   [Click here to access the Virtual Mind Map Board and navigate to your groups frame]
3. Create Your Mind Map
   • Label the heart chambers, right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle.
   • Add Arrows or lines to indicate the direction of blood flow.
   • Add 3 Interesting Facts you as a group remember from Instructional Content #3 and #4.
4. Group Discussion (Within Your Board)
   • Discuss why each circulation step is essential as you build your mind map.
   • Discuss any interesting facts you remember from Instructional Content #3 and #4.
5. Optional Pulse Check
   • If possible, find your pulse on your wrist or neck. Count your heartbeats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. That’s your beats per minute (BPM).
   • Type or share your BPM in your group board or chat. If you have time, do a few jumping jacks (or another light exercise) and measure again.
   • Compare your resting and active pulse rates to see how activity affects your heart rate.
6. Wrap-Up
   • After 15 minutes, we’ll come together for a whole-class share-out or live discussion.
   • Be ready to explain your mind map and any key takeaways or “aha” moments.

Teacher/Facilitator Notes

• Breakout Rooms: Assign students to rooms (online) or small groups (in person).
• Check-In: Move between groups to spark critical thinking:
  • Ask: “Why is it important that oxygen-poor blood goes to the lungs first?”
  • Prompt them to recall or connect other facts (e.g., valves preventing backflow, resting heart rate, etc.).
• Time Management: Aim for:
  1. 10–15 minutes of group collaboration on the mind map.
  2. 5–10 minutes of class-wide reflection/sharing.
• Wrap-Up Discussion: Let groups briefly present their mind maps and healthy lifestyle tips.

Let’s Get Started!

Click the link above to access your group’s board and begin collaborating on the heart’s chambers, blood flow, and the difference between oxygenated vs. deoxygenated blood.
Have fun exploring how your heart keeps you alive!