1-Pager
3rd Grade  Project 4 weeks

Pedal Power: Hearts, Lungs, and Bike Buses!

Olivia J
Updated
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Collaboration
Content Expertise
1-pager

Purpose

The purpose of this learning experience is to explore the impact of biking on health and foster community wellness through active engagement. Students will gain a deeper understanding of how exercise benefits the heart and lungs while developing critical skills in collaboration, communication, and problem-solving.

Learning goals

Students will understand how biking impacts cardiovascular health by exploring the functions of the heart and lungs during exercise. They will develop skills in data collection and analysis by tracking changes in heart rate and energy levels. Through collaborative projects, students will enhance their communication and problem-solving abilities, while also fostering a sense of community engagement by promoting biking as a healthy lifestyle choice.

Competencies
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
  • Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
  • Collaboration - Students co-design projects with peers, exercise shared-decision making, strengthen relational agency, resolve conflict, and assume leadership roles.
  • Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.

Products

Students will create a model of the human heart and lungs with moving parts to demonstrate their function during biking. They will also develop visual presentations or posters illustrating the effects of biking on heart and lung health, using data from their biking experiences. These products will be showcased during the 'Pedal Power Parade', where students will also decorate their bikes and share health insights with the community.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Heart & Pedal Kickoff' event where students participate in a short, supervised bike ride around the school grounds. After the ride, gather students to measure their heart rates and discuss the immediate effects of biking on their bodies. Conclude the launch by introducing the essential question and encouraging students to share their initial thoughts and curiosities about biking and health.

Exhibition

Organize a 'Pedal Power Parade' where students decorate their bikes and ride in a procession around the school or local park. During the event, students can present their models of the heart and lungs, explaining how biking benefits these organs. Invite community members to join and learn from students' visual presentations or posters that highlight the health benefits of biking, fostering a community-wide appreciation for exercise and well-being.