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

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.

Animal skeletons

Science

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.

Animal skeletons are made up of different sizes and shapes of...

Order these vertebrate animals from shortest to longest spine.

It means the skeleton is on the outside of the body. 

It means the skeleton is inside the body. 

It means the skeleton is next to the body. 

Birds bones are different to other animal bones because they are... 

Which of these animals are not vertebrates?

Which of these living things are animals? 

Order these animals from smallest to largest.

Match the features of the animal to its correct group. 

What is the framework inside our body called that is made up of bones? 

To look at our skeleton we would need to have a special image called an...

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Exploration of objects

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Animal skeletons

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.