Heart and Breathing

Year 8 — 40-minute Highly Interactive Science Session

WALT

We Are Learning To demonstrate understanding of how exercise affects heart rate and breathing rate.

Success Criteria:

I can...

state the effect of exercise on breathing rate and pulse rate.
describe how and why these rates change during exercise.
plan a simple investigation to measure the impact of exercise on breathing and pulse rates.
carry out the investigation safely and analyse the results.

National Curriculum Links (England)

Programme of Study: Y8 Biology – The effects of exercise on the body.
Key Stage 3 Science.
Science – Working Scientifically:
- Asking relevant scientific questions.
- Setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests (NC 3b).
- Recording data and results using scientific diagrams and tables.
- Using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support findings (NC 3a, 3c).
Biology Content Area:
- The impact of exercise on the circulatory and respiratory systems (NC 4bi).
- The role of heart and lungs in supplying oxygen for increased activity (NC 4ax).

Context and Rationale

This lesson is designed with The Axis Academy’s pupils in mind, emphasising progressive, relevant, and engaging enquiry-based learning. It accounts for limited prior knowledge, short attention spans, and a need for fluctuating pace and sensory engagement. Group work, movement, and real-world connections cater to learners’ social and emotional needs and curiosity.

Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Details & Differentiation	Resources
0–5m	Settling and Starter – Pulse and Breathing Check	- Each pupil feels their pulse and counts breaths at rest for 30 seconds.	Stopwatch (or iPad timer), chart with Pulse + Breathing definitions (dyslexia-friendly fonts)
	Group discussion: What do you notice?	- Use visual aids for terms: pulse rate, breathing rate.
5–10m	Explain: Why do these rates change with exercise?	Interactive Whiteboard presentation with visuals and videos.	Visuals showing heart, lungs, oxygen flow. Terminology flashcards with match-ups
10–15m	Dynamic Demonstration: "Simulated Circulatory System"	Pupils act as ‘oxygen molecules’ running to represent blood flow increase.	Space in classroom allowed for movement; coloured bands for roles.
15–20m	Planning the Investigation (Group Work)	Scaffolded template— What will we measure? How? When? How to keep it fair?	iPads with planning slides, example questions in simple language.
	- Model planning with class volunteer who uses tech support.
20–30m	Investigation: Pulse and Breathing Measurement Before & After Exercise	- Walk/jog on spot or step exercise for 1 minute, then measure pulse & breathing again.	Stopwatch/iPad timer, data recording sheet (simplified table), adult support for writing as needed
	- Support lower ability pupils in measuring and recording.	- Higher ability pupil designs a secondary variable test (e.g., varying time exercise).
30–35m	Analyse & Reflect: What happened and why?	- Guided questions to discuss data collectively. Visual chart creation (e.g., bar charts) using iPads or paper.	Chart templates, colour pens.
35–40m	Plenary: Mini Quiz with Rewards	- Quick true/false or multiple choice using flashcards or Kahoot (if appropriate).	Flashcards, small prizes or certificates.

Adaptations for Learners at The Axis Academy

Sensory breaks: Movement activities allow energy release and re-focus.
Multi-modal learning: Visual, auditory, kinaesthetic tasks embedded.
Scaffolded writing: Investigation planning uses sentence starters and vocabulary banks.
Visual aids: Diagrams with clear, dyslexia-friendly fonts and contrasting colours.
Focused adult support: For pupils who struggle with recorded writing or measuring.
Peer buddying: Partners for support on investigation tasks.
Challenge for High Ability: Create a secondary investigation—for example, exercise for different durations or intensity—and predict outcomes from theory.

Tier 2 and 3 Vocabulary Explicitly Taught

Pulse rate
Breathing rate
Exercise
Investigation
Fair test
Variable
Analyse
Oxygen

Cross-Curricular & Wider Links

Careers: Discuss role of sports scientists, physiologists.
SMSC: Consider how exercise benefits mental health and well-being.
Cultural Capital: Explore different types of exercise popular in UK and global cultures.

Success Reflection + Next Steps

At lesson end, discuss: Which success criteria have we achieved? Where do I want to improve?
Use pupil self-assessment thumbs up/down or traffic light cards on confidence with each criterion.
Plan follow-up lesson with more focus on data presentation or physiological theory depending on class needs.

Materials and Preparation

iPads with prepared PDF/Keynote slides for planning and data recording.
Stopwatch or device timers.
Visual aids (heart and lungs diagrams, pulse sites poster).
Space cleared for movement activity.
Vocabulary flashcards.
Data recording sheets (paper and digital).
Rewards (stickers or certificates).

Final Note: Teacher Flexibility

Remain responsive to emotional and concentration needs — adapt pace, break tasks into tiny steps, and provide reassurance and encouragement. Celebrate every small scientific success to build confidence and nurture curiosity about how their bodies work!

This lesson encapsulates The Axis Academy's PRECISE approach with enquiry-based, adaptive, and sensory-rich activity modelling real science.

Teaching Instructions