This is a lesson which meets specification points within the WJEC GCSE ‘The Sciences’ Double Award (2026) spec, specifically from the Unit 1 - Basis of Life (Biology).

The lesson starts with an overview of the key vocabulary which students will be learning and using this lesson. Students can stick their key word lists into their books before the lesson begins.

The lesson begins by introducing the heart as an organ and it’s function in the body, pupils will have a few minutes to read through the information on the slide as a ‘memory test’. Then move the slide forward where pupils have to copy and complete the information about the heart, using key words to help them. Pupils can then self-assess their work.

For the next activity pupils are given an information sheet providing information about the structure of the heart and the job of the blood vessels supplying/taking blood away from the hear. Pupils will also be given a worksheet which they will need to complete using this information.

Pupils will then be introduced to the idea of valves, they can watch a short video an have a look at the position of the valves within the heart. They will need to Think > Pair > Share ideas about the function of the valves in the heart. After a short class discussion the answer can be provided for them, and students are shown the location of the bicuspid, tricuspid and semi-lunar valves.

The next part of the lesson focuses on the double circulatory system to the heart, students are shown the route the blood flows around the body and the name of four major blood vessels carrying blood to and from the atria and the ventricles.

The next activity will require pupils to sort information into a flow diagram to demonstrate the route the blood flows through from the right atrium onwards. The words they need to fill in the boxes will be provided, they can self-assess their work once it has been completed.

The next part of the lesson focuses on problems with blood flow through the heart, firstly pupils are introduced to the idea of coronary arteries being blocked due to cholesterol/fatty deposits. They will provided with some information on the board and will need to answer questions on this information, which can then be assessed once the answers are revealed.

Then they will shown the differences between different types of treatment - surgery, stents or statins - and will be asked some questions about the uses, advantages and disadvantages of these examples of treatment for people with cardiovascular disease.

At the end of the lesson, students will be provided with some information regarding wearable devices which are now able to monitor heart rate and rhyth

The plenary is for pupils to brainstorm key words they have learnt from the topic of the heart and blood so far.

Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated. You can contact me on swyftresources@gmail.com.

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