Take a Deep Breath: The Respiratory System

About This Resource

A complete Grade 5 science pack on the respiratory system: the path of air from nose to alveoli, how the diaphragm helps us breathe, gas exchange, and keeping lungs healthy. Includes a lesson plan, worksheet, quiz, homework, A5 flashcards, a rubric, editable slides and Word files, and answer keys.

Overview

Students follow the path of air through the body: in through the nose or mouth, down the trachea, into the bronchi and bronchioles, and finally into millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli. They learn that oxygen passes from the alveoli into the blood while carbon dioxide passes out, that the diaphragm and ribs work together to move air in and out, and why we breathe faster during exercise. A breathing-rate investigation connects the ideas to their own bodies.

Resource Details

Subject: Science
Topic: The Respiratory System
Category: Human Body
File Type: PDF
File Size: 394.1 KB
Published: 28 Oct 2026
Downloads: 0

Members Only

Upgrade to Teacher Pro (from ฿199/month) to download this resource.

Upgrade to Pro Login

Looking for something different? Request a Resource.

Grade 5 (ages 10–11) 50 minutes Sequencing explaining processes collecting and comparing data scientific vocabulary labelling diagrams

Learning Objectives

Describe the path of air through the respiratory system from the nose to the alveoli.
Explain how the diaphragm and ribs help us breathe in and out, and what happens to oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs.
Explain why breathing rate increases during exercise and describe ways to keep the lungs healthy.

Lesson Procedure

Teach the lesson with the slides and the lesson plan; let students feel their ribs and diaphragm move as they breathe.
Use the worksheet for guided and independent practice.
Give the quiz at the end of the lesson or the next day, and score the written answers with the rubric.
Send the homework breathing-rate investigation home and use the A5 flashcards for vocabulary review.

Assessment

The quiz (15 points) checks the air path, breathing movements and gas exchange. The rubric gives four levels for each of these areas and for using science words.

Differentiation

Support: give students a labelled diagram of the respiratory system to use during the worksheet. Challenge: ask students to explain why the alveoli need to be so tiny and so many.

Classroom Activity Ideas

Breathing rate investigation: count breaths per minute at rest and after one minute of jumping, then compare class results.
Model lungs: use a plastic bottle and balloons to show how the diaphragm pulls air into the lungs.
Air path relay: students hold cards (nose, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli) and line up in the right order.

Teacher Tips

Ask students to put their hands on their ribs and breathe in deeply. Feeling the chest get bigger helps them understand that the diaphragm moving down makes room for air.

What's Included

12-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (8 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (7 activities)
Quiz / assessment (4 parts)
Homework practice page
Printable flashcards: 8 A5 picture cards (separate PDF)
Assessment rubric (4 levels)
Lesson slides (editable PowerPoint)
Editable Word version of all student pages
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)