What is asthma?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what asthma is and how to help someone who is having an asthma attack.
Key learning points
- Our lungs allow us to breathe which keeps us alive.
- Asthma is a lung condition that can cause someone to have breathing difficulties.
- An asthma attack makes breathing more difficult and is caused by muscles in the lungs spasming.
- If someone has an asthma attack, they should be given their inhaler.
- In some cases, 999 should be called if someone has an asthma attack.
Keywords
Lungs - a pair of organs in the body that supply the body with oxygen
Asthma - a lung condition that can cause breathing difficulties
Asthma attack - when the symptoms of asthma get worse for a short period of time
Inhaler - a type of medicine that is breathed into the lungs, it can be used to treat the symptoms of asthma
Common misconception
People with asthma should not do exercise in case it makes their breathing worse.
Exercise can improve lung health for people with asthma and forms part of a healthy lifestyle. People with asthma can still do exercise, but should take breaks and have their inhaler available in case their symptoms worsen.
Teacher tip
It may be useful to remind pupils that everyone with asthma is different and may have different symptoms and triggers.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word to the correct definition.
the organ inside our head that controls all of our body's functions
damage to your body
a tube inside our body that carries oxygen to our lungs
an injury to our body that has broken the skin
Q2.There are to watch out for after a head injury that could indicate that the person needs medical help.
Q3.Which statements are true?
Q4.To avoid , it is better for our head to be below our heart.
Q5.Match the behaviour with whether it is safe or unsafe.
going swimming without a trusted adult
floating on our back if we get into difficulty in the water
stepping onto a railway track
wearing bright clothes near the road at night
Q6.Put the steps of putting someone in the recovery position into the correct order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word with the correct definition.
a lung condition that can cause breathing difficulties
when the symptoms of asthma get worse for a short period of time
a type of medicine that is breathed into the lungs
Q2.The are a pair of organs in the body that supply the body with oxygen.
Q3.Which statements are true?
Q4.When should 999 be called if someone has an asthma attack?
Q5. can improve lung health for people with asthma and forms part of a healthy lifestyle.
Q6.Everyone with asthma experiences it in the same way. Select the statements which explain why this statement is false.
To help you plan your 6 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: What is asthma?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: What is asthma?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Staying safe and healthy: How can I save a life? unit, dive into the full primary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.