February 10: American Heart Month

It’s our goal here at Anatomy In Clay® Learning System, to teach students about heart disease in hopes that it will lead to its prevention.

One Fact,

One Disease,

One Community Activity,

One Form of Prevention, and

One Lesson Plan.

Once a day, every day of February.

"The Mind Cannot Forget What The Hands Have Learned.™"

February 10:

Fact: Certain ethnic groups, such as African Americans and Hispanic Americans, are at higher risk for heart disease.

Disease: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Community Activity: Launching a workplace wellness program focused on heart disease prevention and healthy habits.

Form of Prevention: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

The Human Heart, An Anatomy OnDemand™ Course is on sale for the month of February! Register by February 28, 2025 to receive Lifetime Access for the cost of 90-Day Access.

Lesson Plan: Sculpting Understanding: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Learning Objectives:

1. Define hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and understand its impact on heart structure.

2. Identify the symptoms and potential complications of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

3. Explore treatment options and lifestyle modifications for managing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Materials Needed:

• Modeling clay in various colors

• Reference materials on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

• Models or diagrams of the heart showing hypertrophic changes

• Whiteboard and markers

Instructional Strategies:

Introduction (10 minutes):

• Introduce the concept of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and explain how it affects the structure of the heart muscle.

• Discuss the causes of HCM, including genetic factors and inherited mutations.

• Engage students in a brief discussion on the symptoms and diagnostic tests associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Guided Practice (15 minutes):

• Show models or diagrams of the heart highlighting the hypertrophic changes in the heart muscle.

• Review common symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and arrhythmias.

• Use the whiteboard to draw and label the hypertrophic areas in the heart affected by HCM.

Independent Practice (20 minutes):

• Divide students into small groups and provide them with modeling clay.

• Ask each group to create a visual representation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using the clay provided.

• Have students sculpt the heart structure, focusing on showcasing the thickened areas and abnormal muscle growth seen in HCM.

Assessment Methods:

• Formative assessment: Observe student participation during discussions and the clay sculpting activity.

• Peer evaluation: Have students provide feedback to their peers on the accuracy and creativity of their clay representations.

• Clay sculpture assessment: Evaluate student understanding through the visual representations created for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion (5 minutes):

• Summarize key points covered in the lesson, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and managing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

• Encourage students to share their clay sculptures and discuss the features and details that represent HCM.

• Discuss the significance of lifestyle modifications, treatment options, and regular medical monitoring for individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

By the end of the lesson, students should have a deeper understanding of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, its symptoms, treatment options, and the impact of lifestyle changes in managing and improving heart health, expressed through their creative clay sculptures.