New
New
Year 3
Muscles for movement
I can explain why humans have muscles
New
New
Year 3
Muscles for movement
I can explain why humans have muscles
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Humans and most other animals have muscles throughout their bodies which help them to move and balance
- Different muscles move different parts of the body
- Muscles work in pairs around our joints to help us move
- One muscle pulls in one direction, and another pulls in the opposite direction
Keywords
Muscle - A muscle is a part of the body which pulls part of our skeleton so we can move.
Movement - Movement is the act of moving.
Direction - Direction is the course along which someone or something moves.
Joint - The place that two bones meet is a joint.
Common misconception
Students may think that there is just one huge muscle that moves the body.
Use diagrams that explain how muscles work in pairs, and also that muscles are different sizes throughout the body.
Encourage the children to feel their own bodies to identify joints and muscles in action. Find some videos online that show muscles in action in humans and animals.
Teacher tip
Equipment
See addtional materials for further guidance
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
- Exploration of objects
- Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
A skeleton is made up of hard ...
Q2.
Which of these statements describes a skeleton?
A skeleton is made up of one big bone.
A skeleton is made up of lots of bones that are all the same shape and size.
Q3.
An animal's body needs a skeleton to provide so that it can stay upright and keep its shape.
Q4.
Match the body part to the bone which you will find there.
skull
spine
rib cage
Q5.
Match these things to identify whether they are living or non-living.
non-living
living
non-living
living
living
Q6.
Which of these things can move by themselves?
laptop
jumper
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Without to move our bones, we would not be be able to balance or even stand.
Q2.
Which of these statements is true?
Only humans have muscles to help them balance, move and stand.
Plants have muscles to help them balance, move and stand.
Q3.
Match the correct muscles to the action carried out.
leg and feet muscles
jaw and cheek muscles
hand and arm muscles
Q4.
A is where two or more bones meet.
Q5.
Which of these statements is true?
Our body is made up of one big muscle which helps us balance and move.
Our body does not need muscles to help us balance and move.
Q6.
Which of these statements are true?
Muscles push.
Muscles work alone.
Additional material
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