Overview

Unit: Engaging Animal Anatomy Adventures (Lesson 7 of 7)
Duration: 60 minutes
Class size: 4 students
Age group: Year 8 (12-13 years)
Subject: Science
National Curriculum Reference:

• Biology KS3 (National Curriculum for England - Science - Section 4: Animals including humans)
• Pupils should be taught to:
  • “describe the relationship between the pulse, heart rate and exercise”
  • “describe the effects of exercise on the body, including the heart rate”
  • “give reasons for the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including exercise”

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Accurately measure and record their resting pulse rate and post-exercise pulse rate.
2. Explain the physiological reason why heart rate changes during and after exercise.
3. Analyse and compare pulse rates to draw conclusions about the effect of physical activity on heart function.
4. Discuss why regular exercise is important for cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

Curriculum Links

• Working scientifically: making careful observations and taking accurate measurements
• Biology: understanding the human circulatory system and impact of exercise
• Health education: promoting a healthy lifestyle, recognising benefits of physical fitness

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Lesson Structure

Starter (10 minutes): Pulse Discovery

• Activity: In pairs, students use their index and middle fingers to locate their pulse on the wrist or neck. They count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get their beats per minute (bpm).
• Teacher prompts: “What do you notice about your pulse when sitting quietly? How might this change when you move or exercise?”
• Purpose: Activate prior knowledge and practice measuring pulse; develop observational skills aligned with “making careful observations.”

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Main Activity (35 minutes): The Pulse Experiment and Analysis

Part A: Physical Activity & Pulse Rates (20 mins)

• Instructions: Students perform a physical activity such as star jumps or jogging on the spot for 2 minutes.
• Task: Immediately after exercise, students measure their pulse rate again using the same method. They repeat measurement after a 3-minute rest.
• Data collection: Students record all three pulse rates: resting, immediate post-exercise, and recovery pulse rate.
• Teacher role: Encourage accuracy, safety, and timing using a stopwatch or timer app.

Part B: Data Analysis and Discussion (15 mins)

• Students compare their resting pulse rate with their post-exercise pulse rate and recovery pulse rate.
• Guided discussion questions:
  • “How did your pulse rate change after exercise?”
  • “Why does the heart rate increase during physical activity?” (Discuss heart pumping more oxygenated blood to muscles)
  • “What happens to your pulse rate as you recover?”
  • “How does exercise benefit your heart and overall health?”
• Refer to National Curriculum knowledge: pulse rate increases to meet higher oxygen demand during exercise; recovering pulse rate indicates cardiovascular fitness.

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Plenary (10 minutes): Reflective & Creative Writing

• Writing prompt: Each student writes a brief diary entry imagining they are a red blood cell travelling through the body during exercise. They describe the journey, the increased heart rate, and the journey of oxygen to muscles.
• Purpose: Cement understanding through creative expression; addresses literacy within science by using scientific vocabulary (pulse, oxygen, heart rate, muscle, recovery).

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Assessment & Feedback

• Formative: Teacher observes and questions during pulse measurements and discussions. Encourages peer feedback on measurement technique.
• Summative: Review diary entry for use of key terms and understanding of pulse rate changes. Students self-assess how well they met learning objectives using a simple traffic light system (green = confident, amber = unsure, red = need help).

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Resources Needed

• Stopwatch or timer app/tablet
• Worksheet for recording pulse rates and notes
• Space for safe physical movement (classroom cleared or outside area)

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Differentiation & Inclusion

• Support for students who may have difficulty locating their pulse by demonstrating or pairing with a peer buddy.
• Alternative to physical exertion (e.g., arm rotations) for students with limited mobility, still yielding increased pulse.
• Extension task: Challenge to graph pulse rate changes and hypothesise fitness levels.

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Safety Considerations

• Ensure space is unobstructed before exercise.
• Monitor students for signs of dizziness or fatigue.
• Allow immediate cessation of activity if any discomfort occurs.

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Teacher Reflection

After the lesson, reflect on:

• Were students able to measure and understand pulse changes accurately?
• Did the physical activity engage all learners?
• How effectively did the creative diary activity consolidate learning?
• How might timing or activity type be adapted for next time to deepen understanding?

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This lesson plan combines practical investigation, scientific reasoning, and imaginative writing—all aligned with the KS3 National Curriculum. It encourages hands-on learning and reflection, underpinning understanding of heart function and healthy lifestyles in a memorable and age-appropriate way.