This lesson is designed for the Activate KS3 Science Course, specifically Year 7 B1.2 Module on ‘Structure & Function of Body Systems’
 
The lesson begins with an activity whereby students are asked to sit quietly for a few minutes and think about what is happening to their bodies when they breathe in and out. Hopefully students recognise that their chest rises up as muscles contract and relax.
 
This then leads to a video, students should watch the video and whilst watching they will need to complete a fill-in-the-blank task which summarises what is happening inside the lungs during inhalation and exahalation. The answers to this task are included in the PowerPoint so students can self-assess their work once it is complete.
 
Next, students will be given a cartoon strip demonstrating the stages of both inhalation and exhalation, with some information missing. Higher ability students will be given a cartoon strip where they need to create captions for each diagram, lower/middle ability students will be required to fill in the blanks for each caption. The mark scheme for this task is included in the PowerPoint so students can self-assess their work once it is complete.
 
Next, the bell jar model is introduced which demonstrates what happens to the lungs during inhalation and exhalation. The teacher can conduct a demonstration using the bell jar model, students will need to come up with an explanation for what is happening when the teacher either pulls down on the rubber sheet or pushed upwards on the rubber sheet. Students can check their responses to this task using the answers included in the PowerPoint presentation.
 
The last slide shows students the practical apparatus that can be used to measure total lung volume in the lab, students can have a go at using this apparatus if there is time at the end of the lesson.
The plenary is a word search activity, students will need to find a list of words which are related to the breathing and gas exchange lessons.