Background information and notes

Students will learn about the cardiovascular system and the function of the heart. Without the heart, oxygen and nutrients would not get transported throughout the body to vital organs and muscles. The right side of the heart receives blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs. The left side of the heart receives the blood from the lungs and pumps the blood carrying oxygen and other important nutrients throughout the body. Wastes are carried away in the blood. This process is called circulation, and the heart is responsible for circulating blood through arteries to the organs and back to the heart via veins.

In order to emphasize the importance of a healthy heart, students will trace the cardiovascular system, take their pulse, identify their target heart rate, and construct a cardiovascular fitness plan.