3
Explain

We Breathe Air

Duration
30 minutes
Type
Explain
Standards
K-LS1-1, K.MD.A

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

Big Question

"Why do we need to breathe? What happens to the air we breathe in?"

Materials Needed

  • Small mirrors (one per student or pair)
  • Feathers or tissue paper strips
  • Pictures of animals (fish, dog, bird, whale)
  • Paper and crayons for drawing

Circle Time: Feeling Our Breath (5 min)

Teacher Says:

"Let us be very quiet and put our hands on our tummy. Can you feel something moving? That is you breathing! Let us take a big breath in... and blow it out. Our bodies do this all day and all night, even when we are sleeping!"

Activity 1: See Your Breath (8 min)

Steps:

  1. Give each student a small mirror
  2. Have them breathe gently onto the mirror
  3. Watch the fog appear!
  4. Ask: "Where did that fog come from?"
Discovery: "The fog is from the air we breathe out! Our bodies add a little bit of water to the air."

Activity 2: Feather Breathing (7 min)

Steps:

  1. Give each student a feather or tissue strip
  2. Have them hold it near their nose
  3. Breathe normally and watch it move
  4. Try breathing fast - what happens?
  5. Try breathing slow - what happens?
Discovery: "Air goes in and out of our nose and mouth! We can see it moving the feather!"

Discussion: Animals Need Air Too! (5 min)

Show Pictures and Ask:

  • Dog: "Does a dog breathe air?" (Yes! Sometimes we can see them panting!)
  • Bird: "Does a bird breathe air?" (Yes! Birds breathe air just like us!)
  • Fish: "Does a fish breathe air?" (Yes, but they get it from the water with their gills!)
  • Whale: "Does a whale breathe air?" (Yes! They come up to the surface to breathe!)
Discovery: "All animals need air to live, just like us!"

Movement Break: Breathing Song (3 min)

Sing to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat":

"Breathe, breathe, breathe the air,
In and out all day!
In goes air into our lungs,
Keeps us strong to play!"

Do big breath in (arms up) and breath out (arms down) with the song.

Wrap-Up Circle (2 min)

Ask Students:

  • "Why do we need air?" (Our bodies need it to live!)
  • "Do we breathe when we sleep?" (Yes!)
  • "Do animals need air too?" (Yes, all animals!)

Key Takeaway

We breathe air in and out all the time. Our bodies need air to live and be healthy. All animals need air too!

Teacher Tips

Calming Activity

This lesson works well as a mindfulness activity. Have students close their eyes and just notice their breathing.

Extension

Draw pictures of "things that breathe" - students draw themselves, pets, and other animals.

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