Curated OER
Body and Blood
Students explore the cardiovascular system. Through the use of video, students observe the heart pumping an oxygen-enriched blood supply through arteries to the muscles in use during exercise. They participate in activities to explore...
Curated OER
Heart Day
This is a nice idea to introduce elementary learners to the importance of heart fitness. They will see first hand by doing some dancing how the heart beats differently and discuss which way is better to get the heart in shape. This is an...
Curated OER
Fitness Dance
Get those youngsters moving! The activities put together to music are every day warm-up exercises. Jogging in place, jumping jacks, arm circles, and toe touches are a few of the movements presented to get children moving. Teach them the...
Curated OER
Rainy Day Blues Turned into Rainbow Smiles
A series of physical fitness games, activities, and teamwork challenges prompt youngsters to get moving! Using Hula Hoops, bean bags, pool noodles, and other materials, elementary and middle schoolers work together and get some...
Curated OER
Graphing Heart Rates
Students explore heart rates. They record pulse rates, predict which exercises cause a faster heart rate, make a chart, and graph the results. Students write an essay using the data to support their predictions. They write a hypothesis...
Curated OER
Exercise for the Heart
Third graders identify the relationship between physical activity and a healthy heart. Then they describe the long-term effects of daily physical activity on the heart. Students also distinguish aerobic from anaerobic exercises and ...
Curated OER
The Circulatory System - Part IV
First graders explore the heart muscle. They discover that the heart beats faster during exercise. Students locate their heart with a stethoscope and imitate the sound their heart makes. Students locate their carotid pulse before and...
Curated OER
Mission "Possible" Fitness
Students elevate their heart rate and practice fitness skills. They work together to complete a list of exercises simultaneously.
Curated OER
The Racing Heart
Fifth graders locate their own pulse rate from their carotid or radial artery, and graph their pulse rates after completing various exercise activities. They graph their data on a pie graph using Microsoft Excel software.
Curated OER
Cardiac Maze
Students participate in a role-play activity to lean about red and white blood cells, veins, capillaries and arteries. They also see how blood passes through the heart, lungs and out of the body, carrying oxygen and nutrients.
Curated OER
Do You Have the Strength?
Students examine the strength and resilience of the human heart. They squeeze a tennis ball to demonstrate the strength of the human heart, record and analyze the results on a worksheet, and create a poster of a design of a device to...
Curated OER
Elastic Band Exercise
Seventh graders build muscle strength by using elastic bands. For this elastic band exercise lesson, 7th graders do various stretches and movements using an elastic band. Students go to different stations to do different exercises....
Curated OER
Training for Three: Triathlon
Students complete a final exercise test (cycle ergometer) that enable them to discuss their potential in each of the three events. They are introduced to the concepts of economy and efficiency in running, swimming and cycling.
Primary Resources
Warm Ups & Cool Downs for Children
What makes an effective warm-up and cool-down activity? as well as tips for leading stretches. Find detailed activity plans, as well as tips for leading stretches, for elementary school, tag-based games (including one game called "Toilet...
Curated OER
Healthy Heart Night
The idea of having a Healthy Heart Night at your school is a fabulous thought. Here are a few ideas that detail was done at one elementary school. It would take a lot of organizing to make it happen, but seems well worth the effort. This...
Curated OER
Exercise What Can I Do For My Heart?
Fifth graders comprehend the benefits of daily physical activity and are taught the factors that affect physical performance. They relate ways that aerobic exercise strengthens and improves the efficiency of the heart and lungs. ...
Curated OER
How Hard Is Your Heart Working?
Students observe the differences in their pulse from when they are sitting to when they have been doing the "Hokey-Pokey." In this heart health instructional activity, students take and record their pulse after they have been doing...
Curated OER
The Beat of Your Heart
Students explore different applications involving their own heart. For this illumination lesson students measure their fists and relate it to the dimensions of their hearts.
Curated OER
Hokey Pokey Aerobics
Students participate in the Hokey Pokey dance while demonstrating various aerobic/cardiovascular moves. They check their heart rates before and after the dance.
Curated OER
Here's To Your Healthy Heart!
Students examine the primary controllable and uncontrollable factors that put one at greater risk for developing heart disease. Through discussion, research, physical tests, and questionnaires they determine whether or not they are at...
Curated OER
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Students explore cardiorespiratory fitness. In this biology lesson plan, students gain an understanding of pulse rates in order to compare lung capacities of active and inactive males and females. They also learn how to take and compare...
Curated OER
Heart Beating Exercise
Students examine video clips and websites that explore the heart. They find and take their pulse while at rest and after exercising. They discuss foods which are good and bad for heart health.
California Department of Public Health
Walking on the Path to Better Health
Walk your way to health with this great resource! Walking is a valuable physical activity that can be done frequently and with ease by learners of all ages. "Warm up" by reviewing the benefits of physical activity with your class...
Baylor College
Body Strength
Your young learners will discover how muscular strength and endurance can increase with this truly hands-on activity! Beginning by writing an acrostic for the word strength, class members then engage in tracking their ability to squeeze...