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Heart Health Fun

Lesson Plan

Heart Health Fun

Understand exercise's role in heart health

This lesson introduces Grade 2 students to the importance of exercise for maintaining a healthy heart. Through engaging activities and discussions, students will learn how regular physical activity benefits their heart and overall well-being. This lesson aims to instill lifelong habits of exercise and health awareness.

Audience

Grade 2 Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Understand exercise's role in heart health

Materials

Exercise Tracking Worksheet, Discussion Questions, Markers, Open Space for Exercise, and Diagram of Heart and Lungs Interaction

Step 1

Introduction to Heart Health

10 mins

  • Begin with a brief discussion on what the heart does and why it's important.
    • The heart is a vital organ that pumps blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs while removing waste products.
    • It is crucial for maintaining life, supporting physical activities, growth, and development.
  • Explain how the heart and lungs work together to provide oxygen to the body's cells:
    • Lungs: Inhale air, oxygen passes through alveoli into the bloodstream, carbon dioxide is exhaled.
    • Heart: Pumps oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the body, delivering oxygen to cells.
    • Cells: Use oxygen for energy production, returning carbon dioxide to the blood.
    • Cycle: Blood returns to the heart and lungs to repeat the process.
  • Diagram Activity: Use a prepared diagram to visually explain the interaction between the heart and lungs. Encourage students to draw their own version to reinforce understanding.
  • Ask students if they know any activities that help keep the heart healthy.
  • Introduce the concept of exercise as a key factor in heart health.

Step 2

Exercise Activity

30 mins

  • Lead students in a series of fun exercises such as jumping jacks, running in place, and stretching.
  • Encourage students to notice how their heart rate increases with activity.
  • Use the open space to ensure safety and freedom of movement.
  • Heartbeat Counting Activity: Have students find their pulse on their wrist or neck and count their heartbeats for 15 seconds. Multiply by four to get their heart rate per minute. Do this before and after exercise to show how activity affects heart rate.

Step 3

Discussion on Exercise Benefits

10 mins

  • Gather students and discuss how they felt during and after the exercises.
  • Use the discussion questions to guide the conversation about the benefits of regular exercise for heart health.
  • Discuss various activities that help keep the heart healthy, such as aerobic exercises, walking, jump rope, team sports, yoga, playground activities, and dancing.

Step 4

Worksheet Activity

10 mins

  • Distribute the Exercise Tracking Worksheet.
  • Have students fill out the worksheet, noting the exercises they did and how they felt.
  • Encourage them to think about how they can include more exercise in their daily routine.

Step 5

Closure

5 mins

  • Recap the key points about heart health and exercise.
  • Encourage students to share what they learned with their family and try to exercise regularly.
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Worksheet

Exercise Tracking Worksheet

This worksheet helps students track the exercises they performed and reflect on how they felt during and after the activities.

List the exercises you did today.








How did you feel after exercising?








Why is exercise important for your heart?








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