A skeleton is the set of bones inside an animal's body that supports its shape, helps it move, and protects important parts.

Bones are a hard structures that form part of a skeleton.

An X-ray is used to create an image of our bones.

An animal's body needs a skeleton which supports it to be able stay upright and keep its shape.

The human skeleton: support

Science

The human skeleton: protection

Bone length: plan and do

Bone length: review

Animal skeletons

Animals without bones

Muscles for movement

Muscle strength: plan (non-statutory)

Muscle strength: do and review (non-statutory)

Improving muscle strength (non-statutory)

In The human skeleton and muscles unit, pupils learn that humans and some other animals have skeletons and muscles for support, protection and movement. In The human digestive system unit, they will build on this knowledge to describe the basic parts of the digestive system in humans

In the Human body parts unit, pupils learnt to describe and compare the structure of common animals and identify and name the basic parts of the human body. In this The human skeleton and muscles unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to identify and name some common bones in the human skeleton

This unit explores the role of skeletons and muscles in humans and other animals for support, protection, and movement. It involves setting up practical enquiries, making observations, measuring accurately, recording findings, and using results to draw conclusions and suggest improvements.

Introduction to the human skeleton and muscles

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Use of equipment that may require supervision for safety, e.g. scissors in KS1, needles, paint, knives, cooking.

Activity that requires collection of items from an area (room, building).

Which of these is the name of a bone in your skeleton?

Yes all my bones are long and hard to make my skeleton.

No they are all different shapes as they all do something different.

Some are the same shape and some are different.

Are all the bones in your skeleton the same shape?

Match the statements to describe features of bones.

What type of image shows a doctor you have broken a bone?

Which one of these is not part of your body?

Match the body part with the correct sense.

Can you match the animal to the correct group?

As you get older and grow from a baby to an adult, your body...

Which of these things do we need to do to stay healthy?

The human skeleton: support

Lesson outcome

Content guidance