The Respiratory System Part II

Here is a very easy and thrifty project for week two of the respiratory system. 

All you need is:

• an empty plastic water bottle
• a few balloons
• my worksheet to use as a follow along.
• something to cut thru plastic (scissors, small box cutter, etc)

This is a hands-on project demonstrating how the diaphragm works. 
It's really interesting and way cool. 

- Take the empty water bottle ( I used a small one, easier for small hands) and carefully cut off the very bottom.

 

- Take one balloon and cut off the top (thin) portion.  You may have to experiment with balloon    sizes.  It's a good idea to have a few different sizes around.  A smaller balloon may not fit over the end of the water bottle but might be perfect for the next step.  It will depend of the size of your bottle. 

- Place the cut balloon over the bottom, cut off, portion of the water bottle. (This is your diaphragm!) You'll want it to be slightly tight, not too loose.  You'll see why when you're done and playing with it.

- Next, place another balloon inside the mouth of the bottle with the top portion of the balloon stretched around the mouth of the bottle. (This is your lung!)

- Now, pinch the diaphragm and pull down and push back up.  You'll see the "lung" deflate and fill back up!  Awesome!

- After you are done, have the children hi-light or color the small worksheet/guide here.
It will reinforce the learning and is small enough it can be taped to the project for keeping.
They'll need to hi-light the word and then hi-light that part of the respiratory system with the same color.

 Thanks for reading!
-Delina