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

The hard bones of the skeleton provide protection for the organs and keep them safe from injury.

Organs are parts of the body that do a particular job, such as the brain, heart and lungs.

The skull is the name for the bones of the head.

The rib cage are bones that protect your organs and attach to the spine.

The backbone of vertebrate animals is called a spine.

A plan has all the steps that will be taken during an investigation.

To measure is to use equipment to find numbers to describe something such as its length, weight, size or time.

Equipment includes all the things needed to carry out an investigation.

To record information is to keep it so that it can be passed on to others.

Data is information collected during an investigation. It may be numbers, symbols, pictures, text, graphs and more.

Scientists look for patterns in data to answer their questions.

Effect is the change that occurs between two things that we can observe.

In a conclusion, scientists explain what the results show or mean.

The adult is the mature form of a plant or animal.

An estimate is a guess of what the size, value or amount of something might be.

We compare things by looking at what is the same and what is different.

Animals with an endoskeleton have an internal skeleton.

A vertebrate is an animal with an internal skeleton, including a  spine.

The backbone of an animal is also called its spine.

Animals that do not have bones, including a spine, on the inside of their bodies are invertebrates.

An exoskeleton is the hard outer layer that covers, supports, and protects the body of an invertebrate.

A fluid is a gas or liquid that moves freely.

A muscle is a part of the body that pulls on bones to help us move.

Movement is when a person, animal, or object changes position.

Direction is the path taken by someone or something to reach a particular place.

A joint is the place where two bones meet.

Muscles are a tissue which pulls part of our skeleton so we can move.

The strength of something is shown by how well it can withstand a force or pressure.

To measure is to use equipment to find numbers to describe a feature of something such as its length, weight, size or time.

A question is a sentence or phrase used to find out information.

Muscle strength is shown by how well a muscle can withstand a force or pressure.

To record information is to keep it, so that it can be passed on to others.

A review is the act of considering something again in order to make changes to it, give an opinion of it, or study it further.

In a conclusion, scientists explain what their results show or mean.

Muscles are parts of the body which pull, causing bones to move.

An athlete is a person who is good at sports or physical exercise, especially one who competes in organised events.

Exercises involve using effort to move our bodies so that they are fit and healthy.

A fitness circuit is a type of workout that involves doing exercises that target different groups of muscles.

Stretches are when you extend your body, or a part of your body, in order to stretch your muscles.

Introduction to the human skeleton and muscles

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