Why do our skeletons have so many bones?

Bones, Animal Structures
4.9 (26671 reviews)
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS:

What do bones do for your body?

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EXTENSION FOR OLDER STUDENTS

Students Grade 3 and up can extend this activity by comparing the human hand to the bones of a mystery animal. Go to the next slide for step-by-step instructions.

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DISCUSS (1 of 2):

How are the bones in bat wings and human hands similar to each other? How are they different?

answer-key

DISCUSS (2 of 2):

Thinking about how bats use their wings and how humans use their hands, can you explain the differences in their bones?

Why do our skeletons have so many bones?
Bones, Animal Structures
4.9 (26671 reviews)

Featured Reviews

“The students were amazed to learn how many bones make up the entire skeleton; and, even more so to recognize how many are in the human hand, wrist, and forearm! Their individual "x-ray" drawings showing all bones in their hand were truly incredible given I teach 6-8 year olds! Thank you!”
· Vicky · Teacher
“Very fun and engaging with very little to prep. I had pretty much all the materials at school and I brought only the oil and q-tips from home. The children loved it, it satisfied or standards, and they look great hanging in our windows still.”
· Kristi · Teacher
“It was all really great, and my class (K-1) was fascinated by the ideas presented. We stopped the video and tried to walk around with "no bones". I appreciated the step-by-step, detailed instructions for the art project that followed. We watched once, then we followed along with clipboards. Our skeleton hands came out great! ”
· Gina · Teacher
“The activity turned out awesome! I did it with first grade, so I wasn't sure how their drawings of the hand bones would turn out, but they did amazing! The tutorial was great, and we loved the final product. The "x-rays" are hanging in our windows!”
· Kellie · Teacher
“I needed a fun, non- Halloween activity to do on Halloween because we have so many families that don't celebrate the holiday. The kids LOVED this. They were engaged, quiet and listened to Doug's every word. The final results are amazing! Thank you!”
· Carolyn · Teacher
“The kids were so excited to make a drawing of their "own" skeleton. The see through effect with oil was really cool! As always - well explained and high interest level! A few kids had done it last year and it didn't make a difference in their engagement!”
· Sharlene · Teacher
“The students were encouraged to look at their hands in a new way. ”
· Nicole · Teacher
“Even kids who are not often satisfied with their artwork were really impressed!”
· Kalisa · Teacher
“With the steps you provided....all of my first graders were able to easily follow along! ”
· Cindi · Teacher
“The step by step directions made it possible for my first graders to accomplish fantastic results.”
· Tracy · Teacher
“Having them spend time looking at their hands, very engaging for them. Having them compare/contrast human hand with a bat's wing. Also very engaging.”
· Doug · Teacher
“The kids LOVED this mystery! I loved how easy it was to do, while still teaching them a lot! ”
· Allissa · Teacher
“Total enjoyment for second grade. Even the extension was a hit when they colored in the bat wing and human limb bones. We did a Venn's diagram that followed.”
· Lori · Teacher
“This integrated the lessons our Health and Fitness class has been focused on this month. ”
· Sandra · Teacher
“When I saw this lesson, all my lessons for the day went out the window. I scrambled for supplies, and got it ready. We had so much fun and the kids LOVED the results. Anyone that comes into me room raves over the kids' work and wants to know how we did it. ”
· Patty · Teacher
“My students loved making the x-ray of their hand. Everyone that comes in my room ask about them, as they are hanging on our windows. My students are proud to explain the process! ”
· Terry · Teacher
“The students were amazed at how they looked in the windows. It was much easier than I expected because the steps were very clearly demonstrated.”
· Tracey · Teacher
“This was an amazing lesson. The students were mesmerized by each step as they formed their own skeleton. Thank you!”
· Nat · Teacher
“This was great! I loved the step by step videos that just replayed as the kids worked so they could catch anything they missed and gave me the opportunity to interact with the kids. It was simple yet really interesting! ”
· · Teacher
“This was a high interest lesson. The best part was the art connection. Students have a solid understanding of the bones and joints in their hands, as well as cool art to hang in the window!”
· Joan · Teacher
“The Children thought that making the hand skeletons was the neatest thing ever! They were all shocked to see how many bones were in your hands. ”
· Jean · Teacher
“So far so good. We have a bit more to be completed on this activity. The pace of the instructions was perfect.”
· Rebecca · Teacher
“Easy to follow lesson plan and the informational video was easy for my children to understand. They asked to watch it twice!! I loved that the supplies were easily found around the house.”
· Kendal · Homeschooler
“OMG! I'm obsessed with mystery science idea. Your ideas are amazing. The kids were screaming in excitement during this entire experiment. I wish I could teach science all day. ”
· Maggie · Teacher
“The excitement from our students when their drawings of "long ovals" turned into "bones" after painting with corn oil. Wow! *Also, the interesting knowledge they now have of what their hand bones actually look like is fascinating! Thank you!”
· Laura · Teacher
“We displayed the hands at open house and everyone loved them. The kids were so excited about this activity. We never get to do art at our school unless I sneak it in!!! Thank you so much! You guys rock!”
· Yvonne · Teacher
“I loved it. It allowed cross collaboration with P.E. and used a lot of sensory stimulation. Students were excited about the outcomes of the activity. I even had one student that didn't want to participate stayed late to work 1-1 and then went home to teach it to younger siblings that I did not get see. "Mr. Fuller, I did it at home and taught it to my sister."”
· Jorge · Teacher
“We loved the activity and the kids literally screamed in amazement when they saw the bat wing!”
· Liz · Teacher
“The engagement of the students was fantastic! Their conversations about their bones that followed this activity was incredible. I have kept their art as a decoration in the window and they have asked each day when they can take them home! This was a hit, and we learned a lot as well!”
· Andrea · Teacher
“Best lesson I've taught on Mystery Science!”
· Justin · Teacher
“The art activity connection that is so detailed for students to observe their own hand bones. ”
· Margarete · Teacher
“My students were amazed at how many bones they had in their hand! The BONUS activity was so much fun...100% engagement! Thanks:)”
· Tracie · Teacher
“I did it with my Kindergarten class and it worked out great. Instructions were very easy to follow. ”
· Adela · Teacher
“Loved the art extension activity. The step by step directions are fantastic! ”
· Stacy · Teacher
“It was great, My kids loved it. It was so clear and simple for all of "us" to follow.”
· Kristen · Teacher
“This was super engaging and my students just loved it!! I cannot thank Mystery Science enough for today!”
· Andrea · Teacher
“I am an art teacher always looking for STEAM activities - Perfect!”
· Kimberly · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this mini-lesson, K-5 students consider what would happen if their body didn't have bones. In the activity, Skeleton Hand, students combine science with art: they trace their hands, then add see-through bones to their picture, making their own skeleton hand. The activity includes an extension for older students to compare their hand bones to the bones of a mystery animal.
Preview activity
Going Batty (Grades 3-5) printout 1 per student
Going Batty (Grades 3-5) Answer Key teacher-only resource 1 per class
Skeleton Hand Discussion Potential Answers teacher-only resource 1 per class
Clean-up Supplies (Eg. Paper Towels)
1 roll per class
Crayons
Black, dark blue, or purple will work best.
Details
1 crayon per student
Extra Crayons for Extension (Grades 3-5)
Each 3rd-5th grade student also needs a yellow, green, and red crayon.
Details
3 crayons per student
Table Covering (eg. Trash Bags)
1 bag per group
Vegetable Oil
Baby oil or mineral oil will also work.
Details
1 tablespoon per group
Colored Construction Paper
Yellow, orange, red, or pink will work best.
Details
1 sheet per student
Plastic Cup (2 oz)
1 cup per group
Q-tip
1 Q-tip per student
Prep Instructions

You will need windows to tape your students’ finished skeleton hands to. (Light shines through the art revealing the bones of the skeleton.)

Prepare Cups of Oil

Pour about a tablespoon of oil into a cup for each group of 4 students. You will distribute these during the activity.

Optional Extension for Older Grades

We’ve included a worksheet for students in Grades 3 to 5 to complete after making the skeleton hand. They will have the opportunity to compare the bones in their own arm with the bones in a bat wing.

Jump to

Exploration

15 mins

Hands-On Activity

30 mins

Extend this lesson

Discussions

Discussion

  1. Why do our skeletons have so many bones?

  2. What did this lesson make you curious about? What other questions do you have about skeletons?

Activity

Activity

One reason we have so many bones is so our bodies can bend. How many places do you think your body can bend? Take a guess, and write it down. Now let’s find out! Start with your toes. Do they bend? Do some toes bend in more than one place? How about your heels? Your ankles? Keep going. Keep track of how many places your body can bend. Was your guess close to the real answer?

Transcripts

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Credits
 
Why do our skeletons have so many bones?

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