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.

The human skeleton: protection

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

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

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).

Our bones are strong, solid and hard so they can {{}} organs in the human body.

Bones are flexible so they sometimes break.

Bones are strong but they sometimes break.

Which two organs does the rib cage protect?

Match the bone with the organ it protects.

Tick all of the objects that you would wear to protect your bones from damage.

What structure inside your body supports your body from falling over? 

Glass as it is fragile and breaks easily. 

What is a human skeleton made from and why?

Some bones in your skeleton are dead and some are living.

This person has had an accident. Look at the X-ray, what can you see?

Match these materials to their properties.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Risk assessment required - equipment

Exploration of objects

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz