Title – Introduction to the Human Skeleton

By – Skye Silcox

Subject – Science

Grade Level – 3-5

Time: 1 hour

EALR’s:

S1.2A identify the parts of a system, how the parts go

together, and how they depend on each other

S1.2J understand the organization and function of human body

structures and internal organs, and how they work

together

S2.1A ask questions about objects, organisms, and events in

the environment

Objectives:

S1.2A The student wills identify and explain the

purpose of some bones in the human skeleton.

S1.2J The students will understand the organization of the

human skeleton.

S2.1A The students will ask questions about the human body and

skeleton.

Rationale: Students need to learn about the human skeleton, not only because it is required curriculum, but also because learning about the human body is very beneficial to the students. Learning about the human body and skeleton makes

students more aware of themselves, and what we, as humans, need to do to stay healthy.

Assessment and Evaluation:

Formative Informal: Students will be asked question during the

lesson to test understanding of the information being

presented. They will also be asked to relay information back

to me, so I can make sure they are paying attention.

Summative, Informal: The students will participate in an

activity where they will create a skeleton. This will not be

graded, but I will make sure everyone completes the project,

and is able to tell me a little about their skeleton.

Materials

— Skeleton Pull-out book or skeleton model

— The Skeleton Inside You, by Philip Balestrino

— Skeleton handouts for activity

Intro:

Q-Have you ever seen a house being built?

A-yes or no

Q-What part of the house do they build first?

A-frame

Q-What does the frame of the house do?

A-It gives the house shape and support.

Q-What is the frame of the human body?

A-The skeleton.

That’s right! The skeleton is the frame of the human body. It not only gives our body shape and support, but it also protects our insides. Today, we will be learning about our skeleton. (show model)

Activity 1-starting at the skull, point to and name different bones in the body. Tell what the function of each bone is and/or what it protects (see attached sheet Bones 1)

Activity 2-read book, The Skeleton Inside You. As you read, ask the students questions about facts you have already gone over.

Activity 3-make individual skeletons. Hand out sheets to each student and instruct them on how to make the skeleton. (see attached skeleton pictures) As the students are making their skeletons, walk around the room and ask them questions having to do with what was talked about during class. These could be about the bones/functions of bones, or facts from the book.

Major bones and Their Function

Skull

— Made of upper skull (cranium-8 plates) and jaw bone

— Protects the brain, eyes, ears, and nose

— Connected to the top of the spine

Spine

— 33 linked bones (vertebrate) that get larger as they go down

— separated by disks of cartilage (shock absorbers)

— helps to keep you upright

— tunnel runs down middle (spinal cord-sends messages from brain to body)

Rib Cage

— 12 pairs of ribs; two pairs are “floating”

— back-link to vertebrae

— front-link to sternum (all but 2 pairs of “floating ribs”)

— protects heart, lungs, and other internal organs

Arms & Hands

— clavicle, shoulder blade

— upper arm (humerus)

— lower arm (radius, ulna-longer)

— 27 bones in wrist and hands (carpals, metacarpals, phalanges)

Pelvis

— made of 5 fused vertebrae and hip bones

Legs

— connected to pelvis

— upper leg (femur)

— kneecap (patella)

— lower leg (tibia-shinbone, fibula)

— 26 bones in the feet (tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges)

Function

— Framework for all kinds of muscles and organs

— Provide a firm surface for muscles to attach to

— Protection for internal organs

— Factory and storehouse for blood and minerals

E-Mail

Skye

!