The human skeleton: protection
I can describe how our bones provide protection, with some examples.
The human skeleton: protection
I can describe how our bones provide protection, with some examples.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The bones of the human skeleton are solid, strong and are various shapes with different functions.
- The skull protects the brain.
- The rib cage protects organs such as the heart and lungs.
- The spine protects the spinal cord.
- Despite being strong and solid, anyone can break a bone.
Keywords
Protection - The hard bones of the skeleton provide protection for the organs and keep them safe from injury.
Organs - Organs are parts of the body that do a particular job, such as the brain, heart and lungs.
Skull - The skull is the name for the bones of the head.
Rib cage - The rib cage are bones that protect your organs and attach to the spine.
Spine - The backbone of vertebrate animals is called a spine.
Common misconception
Children may think that bones are unbreakable.
Show children X-rays of broken bones and give them examples of where we wear extra protection to protect our bones.
To help you plan your year 3 science lesson on: The human skeleton: protection, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 3 science lesson on: The human skeleton: protection, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Introduction to the human skeleton and muscles unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
See additional guidance.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Risk assessment required - equipment
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
soft
flexible
transparent
strong
Exit quiz
6 Questions
brain
lungs
spinal cord