The asthma and lung disease unit covers the respiratory system, asthma diagnosis, asthma treatment, other lung diseases, and the health effects of smoking.

Lesson 1: Respiratory System
Lesson plan   Worksheet

The presenter demonstrates the function of the lungs with inflatable pig lungs or a plastic lung model. The students assemble and investigate models of the lungs made out of plastic bottles and balloons. They explore how the diaphragm controls breathing, how the lungs inflate and inhale oxygen, and how the lungs deflate and exhale carbon dioxide.

Lesson 2: Do You Have Asthma?
Lesson plan   Worksheet

A healthcare worker talks to the class about his or her occupation. The guest speaker describes asthma, how common it is, and what the symptoms are. The guest speaker demonstrates how to use a peak flow meter. Then the students perform an experiment testing the health of their lungs. The students use a peak flow meter to determine how well they can blow air out of their lungs. They analyze the results, linking peak flow readings to variables such as family history of asthma, exposure to smoking, and height.

Lesson 3: LeapFrog Asthma Books
Lesson plan   Worksheet

Students breathe through straws to simulate the experience of having asthma. They meet a patient with asthma who talks about his or her symptoms, medications, and medical history. Then the students read a case study about a child with asthma and they use an interactive storybook from LeapFrog Enterprises to solve the case and to create an asthma action plan.

Lesson 4: Lung Disease and Cigarette Ads
Lesson plan   Worksheet

The presenter shows harmful chemicals that are found in cigarettes and uses plastic lung models from the first lesson to demonstrate how cigarette smoke contributes to lung disease. The students solve word problems, calculating the cost of smoking cigarettes for a lifetime. They brainstorm the negative effects of cigarette smoke and identify misleading information in cigarette ads, then design their own anti-smoking ads.

Lesson 5: Preventing Lung Disease
Lesson plan   Worksheet

The class watches a video about smoking.  The students write letters either urging a friend or a family member to quit smoking, or praising them for not smoking.  Then the class tries out strategies for saying “no” to smoking.