February 7: 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 7:

Fact: Women may experience different heart attack symptoms than men, such as nausea and extreme fatigue.

Disease: Cardiomyopathy

Community Activity: Distributing educational materials and brochures about heart disease risk factors and symptoms.

Form of Prevention: Monitor and control cholesterol levels through diet, exercise, and medication as prescribed.

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: Creative Exploration of Cardiomyopathy

Learning Objectives:

1. Define cardiomyopathy and understand its impact on heart structure and function.

2. Identify the different types of cardiomyopathy and their symptoms.

3. Demonstrate knowledge of treatment options and lifestyle modifications for managing cardiomyopathy.

Materials Needed:

• Art supplies (such as paper, markers, colored pencils, paints)

• Models or diagrams of the heart showing different types of cardiomyopathy

• Reference materials on cardiomyopathy

• Whiteboard and markers

Instructional Strategies:

Introduction (10 minutes):

• Introduce the topic of cardiomyopathy and explain how it affects the structure and function of the heart muscles.

• Discuss the different types of cardiomyopathy, including dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.

• Engage students in a brief discussion on the symptoms and potential complications of cardiomyopathy.

Guided Practice (15 minutes):

• Show models or diagrams of the heart depicting the changes that occur in different types of cardiomyopathy.

• Review common symptoms of cardiomyopathy, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling.

• Encourage students to ask questions and engage in discussions about the impact of cardiomyopathy on heart health.

Independent Practice (20 minutes):

• Divide students into small groups and provide them with art supplies.

• Ask each group to create a visual representation of a specific type of cardiomyopathy using the art supplies provided.

• Have students incorporate key details, symptoms, and treatment options related to the chosen type of cardiomyopathy in their artwork.

Assessment Methods:

• Formative assessment: Observe student participation during discussions and hands-on art activities.

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

• Artwork assessment: Evaluate student comprehension through the visual representations created for each type of cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion (5 minutes):

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

• Encourage students to share their artwork and discuss the features and details that represent different types of cardiomyopathy.

• Discuss the significance of lifestyle modifications, medication adherence, and regular medical monitoring for individuals with cardiomyopathy.

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