Human Respiratory System – The Breathing System, Parts, Functions, Middle School Teaching Tips and Activities

The respiratory system is a complex but interesting unit of biology and body systems. The mechanism of the breathing system to the important role of oxygen that we breathe in, is a fun journey to take your students on. Over my tenure as a middle school science teacher, the challenge was not just explaining human respiratory system parts and functions to my middle school students but ensuring that this knowledge was both reflective and appealing for them to grasp for good. Let me walk you through some academic methods, teaching tips, classroom activities and hands-on strategies that have transformed my classes of respiratory system into a vibrant learning hub.

1. Anatomy of Respiratory System: Laying the Groundwork with Comprehensive Academic Exploration

It is best to start this unit by sharing basics of the anatomy and respiratory system parts and respiratory system functions in academic details as listed below using a power point slide presentation. Including visuals help in better understanding. Central to understanding of any body system is recognizing its individual parts and their functions. Hence, it is advisable to use clean, clear and labeled respiratory system diagrams that show the location and sequence of connection of individual parts of the human respiratory system starting from the nose to the alveoli and explaining the breathing system.

Respiratory System Parts and Functions:

Nose & Nasal Cavity: More than just an organ of / to smell, it is our body’s primary air filtration system. It warms, moistens, and purifies the air, prepping it for a safe journey to our lungs.

Pharynx & Larynx: Besides being a channel for the air, the larynx, often called the voice box, gifts us our unique voice, due to vibrating vocal cords to produce the sounds we utter daily. And Pharynx?

Trachea: Commonly referred to as the windpipe, it stands as a sentinel ensuring air reaches our lungs safely.

Bronchi & Bronchioles: Think of them as the intricate branches of a tree, spreading out and taking the air into the deep nooks and crannies of our lungs.

Lungs: Our breathing powerhouses. Each time we inhale oxygen-rich air, it’s the lungs that facilitate the extraction of this oxygen to be sent to our cells.

Alveoli: These are minuscule air sacs where the magic happens – oxygen and carbon dioxide are swapped in a delicate dance, thanks to a dense network of blood vessels.

2. Doodles & Worksheets: A Visual Deep Dive into Human Respiratory System

One of the best ways to etch a complex process in young minds is through visual aids. Respiratory system doodle worksheets that I’ve designed contain detailed diagrams of the entire respiratory tract. Students can navigate through the respiratory tract creating narratives and jotting down functions alongside the diagrams. I offer a blank and / or fill in the blank types doodles to suit the need of different types of learners in my classroom.

Respiratory System Infographic

3. Depth through Colors: The Engaging Color by Number Activities for Middle School Science

While showing fun videos around the units of the human body systems is always a great idea, simple activities like Color by Number (respiratory) always make me happy as I see these engaged bunch of kids finding answers and matching the color code to complete their masterpiece. Oh yes, to see those faces who have accomplished that are always delightful!

4. Task Cards on the Human Respiratory System: Simplifying Complex Concepts

In the realm of teaching, task cards are unsung heroes. These concise cards distill complex topics into manageable bites, fostering ease of understanding. Within the respiratory system task cards, each card has fun questions around identifying the parts of respiratory system to answering questions around the roles / function of each part as well as that of the breathing system process. Task cards can be used in different ways. Converting them into a fun group activity by adding simple instructions is something I like to do for this unit and in general. Read more about using task cards in multiple ways in a classroom at https://thesciencearena.com/use-task-cards-in-multiple-ways-a-list-from-the-science-arena/ .

5. Engaging Hands-on Human Respiratory System Activities: Estimating Lung Capacity

A hands-on activity that always elicits excitement involves balloons and straws. Students blow into balloons, each puff representing their lung’s capacity. This tangible representation leads to discussions on lung health, exercises, and factors that might affect their breathing capabilities.

6. Showcasing the Alveolar Exchange – Another Hands–on Activity

The alveoli’s thin membranes, crucial for gas exchange, are replicated using sheer plastic sheets submerged in water. Students witness firsthand how easily gases (in this case, air bubbles) traverse these barriers, an experience that always draws gasps of wonder.

7. Role-playing: Embodying the Human Respiratory Dance

Role-playing solidifies learning like no other. It has always helped me across teaching and revising several science units of middle school students. In our “Breathing Orchestra,” students enact various respiratory parts, from the diligent trachea to the energetic alveoli, giving them an embodied understanding of each part’s function. This is a good way for them to understand the breathing system and human respiratory parts.

8. Peer-Driven Investigations

Rather than mere peer teaching, I encourage ‘peer-driven investigations’. Students deep dive into advanced topics related to the respiratory system. This prompts research, critical discussions, and often, discoveries of concepts even I find fascinating, at times! These topics can bring a connect to the unit of human respiratory system as well as the breathing system with the real world like the respiratory diseases of the time and their impact like the Corona – an epidemic which affected so many lives.

9. Culmination: Quizzes and Crafting a Respiratory Digest

From intriguing articles, interviews with ‘celebrity respiratory organs’, to crosswords and breathing system quizzes, they consolidate their understanding while also nurturing creativity. My own take on quizzes for this unit is when I divide the class into groups to answer the quiz questions and assigning scores for each correct answer and bonus score for answers to questions passed on to another team. They participate with so much enthusiasm; it is fun to watch! Summing up their learning journey, students collaborate on a project for the respiratory system.

10. Field Trip to a Pulmonary Lab (a Bonus)

Nothing beats real-world exposure. Annual trips to pulmonary labs offer students a chance to see machines measuring lung capacities, professionals discussing respiratory disorders, and sometimes, even a lung specimen! This authentic experience deeply embeds the lessons learned on the breathing system and human respiratory system.

In Retrospect: The Symphony of Learning

Teaching the respiratory system, parts and functions with intricate details is fun; and with a blend of rigorous academic depth, vibrant visuals, interactive worksheets / tasks, and hands-on activities, the learning atmosphere becomes more and more engaging. Every year, as I witness the wonder in my students’ eyes while they discover the magic behind every breath, I am reminded of the beautiful symphony of learning we, as educators, have the privilege to conduct. In order to help middle school science teachers easily teach this unit, I’ve prepared a respiratory system bundle of Activities, Doodles with Reading Notes, Color by Number, Task Cards, Respiratory System Diagrams (colored, B/W, labeled, unlabeled) and a Project / File folder activity.

What are your favorite ways and resources to teach respiratory system of the human body in middle school classes?