Purpose: I created this activity so students could have fun while learning the flow of blood through the circulatory system (if they learn some of the anatomy while participating then that is a bonus). It will develop their understanding as it’s a 3D experience, compared to the 2D diagrams and videos they saw at the beginning of the lesson. The beginning self-directed set up allows them to make the connections themselves and gives them the opportunity to correct themselves before I step in.

Directions: Explain the activity. Hand the students their “nametags” and tell them to read instructions on the back. Give the students 60 seconds (use slide 10 countdown) to try and order themselves. At the end of the 60 seconds, put the diagram up on the screen (slide 11) and tell the students to check and see if they are in the right places. If they are still having trouble, I will help direct them to the correct spots. The students will play several rounds.

The circulatory system will be represented by people wearing signs/”nametags” (ex. pulmonary artery) and blue and red lollies will be used to represent deoxygenated and oxygenated blood.

12 people is preferred [can have less by taking away from the lungs, body, and heart (as little as 8) or can have more by adding to the veins and arteries (as much as 16)].

• • 4 people are the heart and stand in a group together (right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle) – left ventricle starts and sends oxygenated blood (red lollies) to the aorta

  • 1 person is the aorta and takes oxygenated blood (red lollies) to the body

  • 2 people are the body and stand together – they use the oxygen in the blood (red lollies) and the blood becomes deoxygenated (blue lollies), they send it to the vena cava

  • 1 person is the vena cava and takes the deoxygenated blood (blue lollies) to the right atrium

  • the right atrium sends deoxygenated blood (blue lollies) to the right ventricle

  • the right ventricle sends deoxygenated blood (blue lollies) to the pulmonary artery

  • 1 person is the pulmonary artery and sends deoxygenated blood (blue lollies) to the lungs

  • 2 people are the lungs and stand together – they will take the deoxygenated blood (blue lollies) and oxygenate it (red lollies), then send the oxygenated blood (red lollies) to the pulmonary vein

  • 1 person is the pulmonary vein and send oxygenated blood (red lollies) to the left atrium

  • the left atrium sends oxygenated blood (red lollies) to the left ventricle and then the process repeats itself

Everyone hold cups and passes them to the next part.

At the beginning, just one lolly is passed around when the cup with the lolly reaches someone, they have to yell out their “name”.

Once the students get the hang of it, put lollies in everyone’s cups and let it run a few rounds so they can see how the blood runs through the circulatory system.