April 11-15, 2016
Heart Examination
Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump....we didn't skip a beat in Nutrition Expedition last week! We thoroughly examined the human heart, and got a chance to hear our own heart beats :)
I first showed the older children this awesome video about blood cells and how the heart functions. It's adorably kid-friendly! Check it out!
After viewing the video, we discussed the anatomy of the heart and how/why it pumps our blood. Did you know that the heart has 4 rooms, or chambers, inside? The children were very amazed that our heart beats approximately 100, 000 times a day! Check out this info from the Texas Heart Institute:
Next, it was time for the fun stuff! A few months ago, I purchased a gelatin heart mold (along with the brain!), so I made a few frozen hearts and a Jell-O heart for each classroom. They loved the brain activities from last month, so I repeated them this month using the heart mold. They investigated the frozen hearts and used eye-droppers to add a little color. We then "dissected" the Jell-O heart and enjoyed a little snack! They also had a blast listening to one another's heart beats using homemade "stethoscopes" that I made with funnels and plastic tubing. You can find the instructions by visiting this blog.
I also set up a heart-pumping simulation. Using a glass jar, a balloon, two bendy straws, and "blood", I created an artificial heart! Learn how to make your own heart simulation HERE.
Super Sleuth Questions
1. What is your heart's main job? (answer: to pump your blood)
2. When you exercise, how does your heartbeat change? (answer: it beats faster)
3. How many rooms, or chambers, are in your heart? (answer: 4)
4. What do your red blood cells pick up in your lungs and deliver to other areas of your body? (answer: oxygen)
