Subject: Life Science: Human Body
1. Topic-
Basic Functions of the Skeletal System
 
2. Content-
skeletal system
skeleton
joints
bones
cartilage
ligaments
tendons
 
3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-
1. Identify the basic functions of the skeletal system
2. describe the basic structure of the skeletal system
3. predict implications of injury to certain parts of the skeletal system
 
4. Objectives-
1.Students will actively research (using a variety of resources) the bones that make up the human skeletal system
2. cooperatively create a life-size drawing of a skeletal system (start by tracing a group member)
 
5. Materials and Aids-
rolls of paper (news print)
pencils
resource books of various reading levels
Internet websites (interactive - predetermined)
charts/posters of various bones from the human body
 
6. Procedures/Methods-

A. Introduction-

1. compare and contrast worms and students
2. explore that idea of what it would be like to try and move with out bones
3. Bones are strong and don't bend - explore concept of "joints" and how our bodies bend at joints.
Students engage in partner movement activities to determine the number of joints our bodies have.
Show an x-ray of an ankle joint and knee joint.
Introduce to students that idea that they are going to create an x-ray image of one of their classmates by drawing their classmates skeleton on a paper tracing.
 

B. Development-

1.Groups are selected to include various learning levels and learning styles (paying attention to personalities to avoid conflicts)
2.Introduce the resources available (books, posters, Internet)and introduce the three roles (researcher, x-ray technician/drawer, and labeller)
3. Challenge students to determine what would happen if something happened to injure or damage part of the skeletal system (ie. damage or injury to the cartilage, tearing of a ligament in the knee etc.)
 

C. Practice-

1.Briefly demonstrate the roles
2.Break students into their groups and have them work to complete the task.
 

D. Independent Practice-

Group task
 

E. Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction)-

1.Varying roles and varying levels of text resources as well as interactive/kid-friendly Internet sites.
2.Cooperative grouping that support all students
 

F. Checking for understanding-

1.accuracy of work
2.observation/listening to group conversations
3.completeness of work
 

G. Closure-

1.Share x-ray's with other groups
2.Challenge groups to select a potential injury to a certain area of the skeleton and predict the outcome that the "human" would experience.
 
7. Evaluation-
1.Accuracy of drawing and labeling of the skeletal system
2.Ability to explain what the outcome of an injury to the skeleton would be.
3. Ability to identify some of the major bones and how they stay together.
 

This Lesson Plan is available at (www.teacherjet.com)