Category: Learning Activities (Page 2 of 2)

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!

Overview

This youtube video gives an overview of how our nervous system works as well as provides fun facts about the brain and nervous system.

Instructions

• Students watch youtube video in class.
• Students take notes of concepts and terms.
• After watching students will participate in a quizlet.
• Once completed they will receive a grade to their quiz as well as read through feedback.

Overview

Class will follow a slide presentation from an open resources outlining the nervous system, key terms, and important concepts.

Instructions

• Students will watch slide presentation at group pace.
• Throughout slideshow students will take notes of any important concepts and terms.
• After finishing slideshow students will participate in a quizlet.

Google Slides_Nervous System 

Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/711731747/nervous-system-flash-cards/

Objective

Students will gain understanding of how reflexes work by testing their reaction times.

Instructions

• Students will pair up. One of them holds a ruler vertically in the air while the other partner gets ready to try and catch it.
• Partner holding ruler drops it and the other student attempts to catch it as quickly as possible.
• Students measure how far the ruler falls before it is caught.
• Repeat test 5 times and compare results from each attempt.
• Students will complete the following worksheet on their results from test.

Worksheet: https://micromodule339.opened.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/9229/2025/03/Reflex-Test.pdf

• Teams answer reflection questions:
  • How fast did you catch the ruler?
  • How does this test demonstrate how the nervous system affects reaction times?
  • Why do you think your reflexes helped?

Overview
Objective: In this learning activity, students will apply their understanding of the five senses and how the brain processes them by completing a group case study and participating in a class discussion. Using knowledge from the video and article, students will analyze how our senses help us navigate daily life, and what happens when one sense is reduced or lost.

Time: Approximately 30 minutes (group work and individual reflection)

Instructions for Students

Step 1: Read and Watch Before Beginning
To complete this activity, make sure you have reviewed both pieces of instructional content:

📘 Instructional Content 7: “Sense Organs” Article – BYJU’S
🎥 Instructional Content 8: “How Your Five Senses Work” – FuseSchool

Step 2: Join Your Group
Check your assigned group number or breakout room on the LMS. Each group will be assigned a real-life scenario to analyze:

• Walking through a forest trail
• Preparing a meal in a busy kitchen
• Entering a loud school gym
• Watching fireworks on Canada Day

Step 3: Open and Complete the Group Worksheet
Use the shared class document to guide your discussion and record your answers.

🔗 Open the Sensory Scenario Group Worksheet – Google Doc (teacher-provided)

Each group will answer the following:

• Which five senses are involved in your scenario
• What type of receptors are used in each organ (e.g., photoreceptors, chemoreceptors)
• How each sense helps the person respond or stay safe
• What would happen if one sense was removed (choose one to eliminate and explain)
• What part of the brain may be processing this input (based on the video)
• Be sure to include at least one detail or concept from the video or article in your discussion

Step 4: Class Reflection and Final Response
Once group time ends, return to the main discussion area. Each group will share one insight or surprising idea from their case study.

Then, complete this reflection question individually:

“Which sense do you think you rely on the most in your daily life, and why?”

🔗 Submit Your Response Here – Google Form (teacher-provided)

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Area	What We’re Looking For
Understanding of Senses	Clear identification and explanation of all five senses in the scenario
Application of Knowledge	Accurate references to content from the video or article
Critical Thinking	Thoughtful and creative explanation of how losing one sense would change the scenario
Participation and Reflection	Contributes to group work and submits individual response

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Let’s Get Started
Open the group worksheet and begin analyzing how your senses work together in real-world situations. Be ready to share and reflect on what you’ve learned. Have fun and think deeply about how your body and brain work as a team!