Introduction

Today you are going to play the role of a cardiologist and explore different functions of the human heart. A cardiologist is a special kind of doctor. This type of doctor knows all about the heart. He or she specializes in cardiovascular disease which is a big word for heart disease, or any problems affecting the heart and blood vessels. Your assignment is to look at two websites about the heart (I will give these to you) After you learn about some of the things cardiologists deal with everyday, you will play the role of "Doctor" and use your knowlege to fill out a worksheet along with other things. Have fun!

About the Heart

In this website you will learn all about the human heart through a narrated tour of the heart. When you go to the website first click on the language icon "English" (or Spanish if you speak Spanish) Then click on the "Human Heart" icon. Next click on the "Narrated Tour" button. This will start your tour of the Human Heart. Listen carefully and watch the diagrams as it takes you through exactly what our hearts do. The website is: http://www.medtropolis.com/VBody.asp

Your assignment after you have learned about the heart is to fill in a diagram of the heart labeling the parts assigned. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper. You will turn these in.

For this assignment go to: http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/102440923090640%20Label%20Heart%20Prts%20(3-5].pdf

Keeping a Healthy Heart

At this website you will learn all about how to keep a healthy heart. When you get to the website scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page to the section called, "Keep Your Heart Happy". Read only this section of the page. The website is: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/body/heart_noSW.html

After you learn about how to keep a healthy heart you will have to decode a secret message. The message relates to keeping healthy heart. Use what you have learned to decode the secret message. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. When you have decoded the message turn in your paper.

The secret message is here: http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/102440791949035%20Break%20the%20Heart.pdf

Project

Now that you have learned all about the heart, your project is to complete a worksheet. This is not just any worksheet though, this is your chance to play doctor. Test your knowlege! Play the role of Cardiologist, you will be able to fill out this worksheet in no time! To access the worksheet go to: http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/102441174926654%20Your%20Heart%20Works(6-8).pdf

Complete the worksheet and turn it in when you are finished.

Tips for Teachers

This web quest was designed for 4Th and 5Th graders. Before they attempt the web quest students should be able to navigate themselves comfortably around the Internet (selected sites only) and also follow step-by-step instructions. In each of the websites they are required to read or listen to facts about the heart and heart health. After they do so they will be required to complete worksheets pertaining to the information learned at each website. They will need to have a basic understanding of the human body and the functions of the heart. They will learn all about the cycle of blood through the heart and also what they can do to keep a healthy heart. Students will need roughly one hour to complete the web quest itself but 2-3 weeks for the teacher to give enough background information surrounding the topic. (All about the human body, health tips etc.) The graded project is designed to be fun and informational. It should allow the kids to play the role of "doctor" and use their knowledge to complete a worksheet. Grading should be easy and based upon whether the students completed the assignment. In the second website there is an activity the students need to complete. If they complete the assignment correctly the secret message should read: "You can have a healthy heart, it's as easy as one, two, three! Eat healthy stuff, move around enough, live tobacco-free!"