National Blood Donor Month Lesson Plans

Science Activities and Games, Plus Service Ideas for Blood Donation

Nov 20, 2008 Lisa Russell

January is the month for blood donation and time for science lessons at the blood bank. Find lesson plans about blood transfusions during national blood donor month.

Homeschool families can learn about blood transfusions, the properties of blood, blood typing and blood donation during National Blood Donor Month, every January. Children can learn science lessons about the blood donation process, and how a blood bank works without losing a drop of blood. In fact, they're not even allowed to participate in donating blood until they're grown. Find community service ideas for raising awareness about the importance of blood donation and why every community needs a blood bank.

National Blood Donor Month Lesson Plans

Visit the local blood bank, or invite a representative to come speak in the classroom or homeschool co-op about the purpose of a blood bank and how blood transfusions work. A blood donation center is a laboratory where real scientists work to help ensure that there's enough safely banked blood in case of large emergencies and to help medical patients.

The Red Cross publishes coloring books, posters and other educational materials that can be used in lesson plans. They also have information on their website to teach children about the importance of being a blood donor. Order blood typing kits for the classroom or homeschool through companies that sell biological lab supplies, usually suitable for middle school and older. Making a poster or survey of blood types can help students learn why certain blood types are harder to find than others.

Science Activities: Learn about Donating Blood

Touring the blood donation center is a great way to walk kids through the blood donation process. In a situation where the entire group can't travel together, try an online virtual tour or send a “reporter” to film a walk-through of the facility. Invite a parent who has experienced a transfusion to speak to the group. Invite a frequent blood donor to discuss blood donation. Consider hosting a panel discussion for blood donation experts, and allowing the children the opportunity to ask questions at the end.

Learn how blood is stored and preserved after it is drawn. Who can donate blood and who can't? What can kids do to protect their bodies and blood supply until they're old enough to donate? How do blood banks protect the public from communicable diseases?

Social Studies Lessons for Donating Blood

Create a timeline of blood to show the journey that blood takes from one person to another. Some religions are opposed to blood transfusion – learn why. What careers are involved in the business of blood? How do they all depend on one another? Why are blood banks busiest after natural disasters and other emergencies?

Community Service Ideas for Blood Banks

Children aren't allowed to donate blood, but they are allowed to recruit donors. Scouting groups can host a blood drive to recruit blood donors. Kids can create posters to hang in public places, reminding people about the importance of keeping the blood banks stocked. Kids can also create thank-you cards to be given to donors. Older students can create videos and slide shows to reflect what they've learned.

January is National Blood Donor Month. Plan activities to help children learn about blood banks and the significance of blood donation. Visiting with blood donors and people with blood based careers help children understand the process of saving lives with blood from start to finish.

The copyright of the article National Blood Donor Month Lesson Plans in Homeschooling is owned by Lisa Russell. Permission to republish National Blood Donor Month Lesson Plans in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Blood Bank

Donating Blood