Today's Classroom Activities :

Skeleton Fun - Classroom Activities

Archeological Dig
Paper "bones" are placed under brown sheets of paper all over the play area. There should be enough bones to complete one entire skeleton for each group of students (for example, if there are four groups, there should be four skeletons). Groups should have no more than four kids each. Working in relay format, the students go out for the "dig" one at a time and try to find the bones they need to complete their skeleton.

Younger students need a complete example to refer to while older students must create their skeleton from memory. If a bone the group already has is found, everybody in the group must do five push-ups. If the dig site is empty, the students in the group do five jumping jacks. The students continue until the skeleton is complete. If a group is having trouble, they can ask the teacher for small hints. Archeology can also be used to put other systems together using a similar format with a new creative scenario.

Skeletal Science
Science Read the following poem near Halloween, then discuss what a skeleton is and how it functions. Show students 3-d skeletons as well as ones made of paper.

The Model Skeleton

by Heidi Bee Roemer

Have you seen him? Please don't scream.
Though he looks pale and deathly lean,
He's not a gag for Halloween.

His job description's quite complex.
Internal organs he protects;
He also helps us stand erect.

You'll never hear him holler, "BOO!"
Modeling's what he loves to do –
He reveals what's inside YOU!

Preventing Osteoporosis - Educating your students about osteoporosis may prevent them from developing this condition later on in life.

Skeleton Bodies
Language/Health October is the perfect month to talk about bones in the body. Get two paper skeletons and hang one in the classroom. Label some of the main bones on it. Then cut the other skeleton apart. Post a "mystery bone" somewhere else in the room. Can your students determine what the mystery bone is and where it belongs? Continue with this part-to-whole activity throughout the month.

For more skill building activities like these click here.