Lesson Plan: Respiratory System
Subject: Science
Grade Level: 6
Duration: 60 minutes
MELC Code: S6LT-IIIg-h-7
MELC: Explain how the respiratory system works and describe how the
different parts function to bring oxygen into the body.
I. Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Identify the major organs of the respiratory system.
2. Explain the process of breathing and how oxygen is absorbed
into the body.
3. Discuss ways to keep the respiratory system healthy.
II. Materials
Diagram of the respiratory system
Projector (for video/visual presentation)
Respiratory system labeling worksheet
Balloons (for breathing demonstration)
III. Procedure
A. Review/Drill (5 minutes)
Review the digestive system briefly. Ask: “What does the digestive system do
for our body?”
Transition: “Now that we know how food is processed, let’s learn how our
body gets the oxygen it needs to survive.”
Expected Responses:
“The digestive system breaks down food.”
“It helps absorb nutrients.”
B. Motivation (5 minutes)
Ask: “Take a deep breath. Where do you think the air goes after it enters your
body?”
Discuss: “Today, we’re going to learn what happens when we breathe and
how our body uses oxygen.”
Expected Responses:
“It goes to our lungs.”
“We need air to live.”
C. Lesson Proper (30 minutes)
1. Presentation (15 minutes)
Show a diagram of the respiratory system. Identify the major organs:
Nose/Nasal Cavity: Air enters through the nose, which filters and warms it.
Pharynx and Larynx: Air passes through these parts on its way to the lungs.
Trachea: Also called the windpipe, this tube carries air to the lungs.
Bronchi and Bronchioles: These smaller tubes distribute air into each lung.
Lungs: Main organ of respiration where oxygen is absorbed into the blood.
Diaphragm: The muscle that helps the lungs expand and contract during
breathing.
Explain the process of breathing:
Inhalation: Taking in oxygen.
Exhalation: Releasing carbon dioxide.
Expected Responses:
“The lungs are where oxygen goes into our blood.”
“The diaphragm helps us breathe.”
2. Activity 1: Labeling the Respiratory System (10 minutes)
Distribute worksheets with an unlabeled diagram of the respiratory system.
Ask students to label the major parts.
Review the answers as a class, projecting the labeled diagram on the board.
Expected Responses:
Students label parts such as “nose,” “trachea,” “lungs,” “diaphragm,” etc.,
correctly.
3. Activity 2: Breathing Demonstration with Balloons (5 minutes)
Provide each student with a balloon. Ask them to blow air into the balloon
and release it.
Discuss how this activity shows how the lungs expand and contract when we
breathe.
Expected Responses:
“When we blow into the balloon, it gets bigger like our lungs when we
breathe in.”
“The balloon gets smaller when we let the air out, just like when we breathe
out.”
D. Generalization (5 minutes)
Ask: “Can someone explain how the respiratory system works from start to
finish?”
Expected Responses:
“We breathe in air through the nose, it goes down the trachea into the lungs,
and the oxygen goes into the blood.”
“The diaphragm helps us breathe in and out.”
E. Application (5 minutes)
Ask: “What can we do to keep our respiratory system healthy?”
Discuss healthy habits such as avoiding smoking, exercising regularly, and
breathing clean air.
Expected Responses:
“We should avoid smoking because it’s bad for our lungs.”
“Exercise helps keep our lungs strong.”
IV. Evaluation (5 minutes)
Short quiz:
1. Name three organs in the respiratory system.
2. What is the function of the lungs?
3. Why is it important to take care of our respiratory system?
Expected Answers:
1. Nose, trachea, lungs (or other parts).
2. The lungs absorb oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the blood.
3. To ensure we can breathe well and keep our body healthy.
V. Assignment
Research and write 3-5 sentences about how pollution affects the respiratory
system. Share your findings in the next class.
