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The Circulatory System

CONCEPTUAL
Science›Organisms & Life Processes|Ages 10—11|ID: mt_BX4D8cCFtQ

Identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system and describe the functions of the heart, blood vessels, and blood

Mastery Evidence

  • Name the main components: heart, arteries, veins, capillaries, blood
  • Describe the heart as a pump that pushes blood around the body in a continuous loop
  • Explain that blood carries oxygen and nutrients to cells and removes waste products like carbon dioxide

Assessment Prompt

“Can [child] explain what the heart does, why we have blood vessels throughout the body, and what blood actually carries?”

Curriculum Standards1 alignment

Y6.Sci.A.1The national curriculum in England
Human circulatory system

identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system, and describe the functions of the heart, blood vessels and blood

Science · Key Stage 2

Prerequisites4

Show full prerequisite tree
  • Skeletons & Muscles soft

    Understanding skeleton and muscles provides context for internal organ systems

    • Body Parts & Senses soft

      Knowing body parts and senses supports understanding skeleton protects organs

    • Animal Body Groups hard

      Must compare animal body structures before learning about skeleton/muscle system specifically

    • Bones & Muscles soft

      Enrichment knowledge of skeleton and muscles supports formal curriculum study of skeletons for support, protection, movement

  • Heart & Blood Circulation soft

    Enrichment knowledge of 4-chamber heart and double loop supports formal curriculum study of circulatory system

    • Cells, Tissues & Organs hard

      Understanding 4-chamber heart requires knowing organs work within organ systems

      • The Heart & Blood soft

        Cells-to-systems hierarchy helps organise knowledge of heart as an organ in a system

      • The Brain Controls the Body soft

        Cells-to-systems hierarchy helps organise knowledge of brain as an organ in a system

      • How Breathing Works soft

        Cells-to-systems hierarchy helps organise knowledge of lungs as organs in a system

    • The Heart & Blood hard

      Detailed circulatory system builds on knowing the heart pumps blood through blood vessels

  • Organ Systems Vocabulary hard

    Identifying and naming parts of the circulatory system requires circulatory system vocabulary: artery, vein, capillary, blood vessel

  • The Digestive System hard

    Must know digestive system before learning circulatory system that transports digested nutrients

    • Animal Nutrition hard

      Must understand nutrition before learning how the digestive system processes food

    • The Digestive Journey soft

      Enrichment knowledge tracing the digestive journey supports formal curriculum study of digestive system parts

      • Basic Body Needs hard

        Tracing the digestive journey builds on knowing the body needs food for energy

        • The Heart & Blood soft

          Basic needs (exercise keeps heart strong) connects to knowing the heart pumps blood

        • How Breathing Works soft

          Basic needs (body needs air) connects to knowing about breathing and lungs

Unlocks3