Higher:
Explain the function of some bones in our body
Middle:
Give examples of bones different bones and where they are found.
Lower:
Recall the three functions of the skeleton
Lesson Recap Starter: Think back to the last lesson. What is the difference between tendons and ligaments?
Lesson Starter: Think of all of the reasons why your skull is important.
Ask children to write on a mini-whiteboard or sticky note for 1 minute - create competition, who can get the most ideas? Share ideas.
May include - protecting the brain, face shape, holds teeth, allows us to chew our food.
Presentation - Starter Slide.
Answer questions and take part in activities during the presentation.
Key Concept:
During this unit, each lesson contains a key concept question housed in the '30 Second Challenge' slide. To help children master this content so the knowledge moves from their short term memory to their long term memory, at the beginning of the follow on lesson the question from the previous lesson is revisited.
The questions covered during this unit include:
1. What do you need to do to keep yourself healthy through the food you eat?
2. What are the key factors you need to think about to design a meal that can be eaten in space?
3. What are the main differences between voluntary and involuntary muscles?
4. How does the skeleton help to protect our organs?
5. What is the difference between tendons and ligaments?
6. How do the skeleton and muscles support, protect and help with how the body moves?
Presentation
Expert Film: Zoologist Mike Linley explores with Alison the features of a human's and canine's skull and vertebrae.
How we deliver the Gatsby Benchmarks:
2 - Learning from career and labour market information: Pop along to Developing Experts career’s zone to find out about jobs in your area.
4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers: This unit showcases careers that relate to the human body. Access our 360° virtual work tours.
7 - Encounters with Further and Higher Education: Pop along to Developing Experts career’s zone to find out about training providers in your area.
Presentation - Expert Film.
Body Bingo
Watch the Lesson Assignment film for more help with this activity.
Cut out the definitions of the body parts - which explains what function they serve and how they are related to the purpose of the skeletal or muscular system.
Children should choose 9 of the body parts from the list on the handout provided and write these on their bingo card. You may want to give them a few minutes to revise the body parts before playing the game.
Then, draw the cards from a box or a hat and read out definitions. Children cross out their body part words on their bingo card. When a child has completed a line or a full house, they could be rewarded in class.
Extension: Encourage children to make their own game which can help them recall parts of the skeleton.
Handout
Children to complete the questions on Handout 2 - Comprehension
Quiz
With their talk partners, the children are to go through the quiz at the end of the presentation and answer the questions.
Handout 2 - Comprehension
Quiz in presentation
What are limbs / vertebrae / the skull?
What are the functions of the limbs / vertebrae / skull?
How are these bones connected to one another?
How does the hand move?
Can you create a working model of the hand?
Quizzes in pupil zone.
Unit knowledge organiser and test available in documents (coming soon)
The adult skeleton is mainly made of.... (bone and a little cartilage)
When I grip a ball in my hand my hand muscles...
When I let go of the ball, my hand will...
The skull's main function is to... (protect brain, provide structure for head)
The vertebrae are important because...
Science behind the Science
Did you know that all the bones in the human body are collectively known as the skeletal system? The skeletal system includes bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. The tendons attach our bones to the muscles so that we have the flexibility to move and the ligaments attach bones to other bones. This system provides strength and rigidity so that we don’t flop around. We have 206 bones in our body and each one has a different function and purpose. For example, the skull (the bony structure that forms the head in vertebrates) offers protection for the much softer and fragile brain and the rib cage protects our hearts and lungs. The skull is made up of two parts: the cranium and the mandible and keeps in place all the body parts in the head. It is the bones in our arms and legs that allow us to move around by providing a support system for our muscles.
The human spine is made up of twenty-four bones that are collectively known as the vertebrae. It is the ligaments and the muscles that connect these interlocking bones to form the spinal column, which gives the body its shape and function to protect the spinal cord.
Bones are made of minerals like calcium. If your body does not have enough calcium it will use the supply in your bones, making them more fragile and weak. The outside of the bone is hard, smooth and solid and is known as the cortical bone. The inside of the bone is spongey and porous and because of this, is lighter which makes it easier for us to move around and leaves space for blood vessels. This allows for slight bending. This is known as the trabecular or cancellous bone. Marrow is found in the centre and is a soft substance. There are two types: red marrow and yellow marrow. Red marrow is where both red and white blood cells are produced, and yellow marrow is mainly fat cells.
Did you know that our bones connect at special places called joints? Examples of joints include the knees, elbows, shoulders, and hips. A smooth substance known as cartilage provides protection for the bones as they rub against one another, preventing friction.
Mission Assignment: The string represents the tendons and the straws represent your bones. The human hand has 27 individual bones (eight carpal bones, five metacarpal bones and fourteen finger bones) and can be viewed in three sections by its joint functions. Your wrist (made up of eight small bones known as the carpal bones) links your hand to your arm and allows us to flex, extend and even tilt our hands. The eight carpal bones are held together by ligaments and form two rows. The five metacarpal bones extend from the second row of the carpal bones. One of the bones aids the thumb’s proximal phalanx to make the carpometacarpal joint which gives the thumb better freedom in movement. Your fingers have three bones and your thumbs have two.
Identify that humans and some animals have skeletons and muscles for support, protection and movement.
Biological systems - Body systems and cells - I have explored the structure and function of sensory organs to develop my understanding of body actions in response to outside conditions. SCN 2-12b
The study of the characteristics, systems, and behaviours of humans and other animals, and of plants; the interactions and relationships between and among them, and with the environment.
Using secondary source information.
Reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, or presentation of results and conclusions.
Grade 4 - Human Body
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