Activities on the Anatomy of the Heart
Learning heart anatomy is largely about memorizing names and functions. It is the teacher's task to find ways to engage the students so they will remember what they have learned. The best way to do this is with visual learning aids. A three-dimensional heart makes a bigger impact than a two-dimensional one.
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Puzzle
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A lesson on the anatomy of the heart should start with a picture of the human heart with a line where the child can write the name of each part when instructed by the teacher. Another picture can be passed out that gives the opportunity to be cut into sections, then put back together like a puzzle.
Dissect
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Using a beef heart that has been purchased from the butcher offers the children a close-up inspection of a real heart. Once cut in the middle lengthwise, with the ventricles and atrium exposed, the heart can leave a deeper impression on the young mind. Accompanying flashcards will help to reinforce what the children just learned.
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Pear
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A pear can be used to reinforce some of the basic functions of the heart. Offer a half of a pear to each child and instruct him to remove the seeds. Demonstrate how to cut two openings at the top and at the bottom where the heart chambers would be. Surgical tubing inserted in the proper places can represent the heart's largest vein and artery.
Games
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Games offer children an opportunity to have a little fun and be slightly competitive while showing off what they have learned about the anatomy of the heart. Several types of games can be played where the teacher points to various parts of the heart and asks the children to identify the names. The teacher could use the structure of "Jeopardy," "Trivial Pursuit," "Wheel of Fortune" or "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"
Listening
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Stethoscopes give children the opportunity to listen to their hearts. The children can listen to their hearts or take their pulses. Offer them an opportunity to run outside or in place to raise their heart rate. They can then take their pulses again to appreciate the way exercise makes the heart work faster.
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