This topic is suitable for active inquiry, with opportunities for building on prior knowledge, and exploiting cross-curricular links.
Active Inquiry Students may be involved in collection of data, either directly or using technology, about their own heart rate; direct observation or dissection of animal heart from butchers or supermarket; or interactive computer animation.
Prior Knowledge Although study of the circulatory system is not a mandatory part of the Primary Science syllabus, the Living things strand of third, fourth, fifth and sixth class content calls for sudents to "become aware of the names and structure of some of the body's major organs".
Links Study of the circulatory system, particularly active investigation of heart rate, crosses into the new syllabus of the core subject Physical Education - the section on Health Related Activity includes the circulatory system under two topics: Activity and the Body, Health Beneifts of Physical Activity. This topic also overlaps with the Social and Health Studies section of the Home Economics syllabus.
Junior Science Support Service - c/o Sciences, Limerick Education Centre, Limerick Ireland
