Skeletons of Vertebrates

• A Vertebrate skeleton consists of bones and joints inside the body.
• Bones are hard and form a strong frame structure.
• A skeleton provides support for the animal’s body and protection of its organs;
  • Skull – protects the brain.
  • Backbone with vertebrae – protects the spinal cord.
  • Ribs – protect the heart and lungs.
  • Arms, shoulder blades, legs, hip bones – for movement.

• Greet the learners
  • Ask them the following questions: Who has seen a skeleton?
  • Who has had a broken arm or leg?
• Show learners some samples of X-Rays and let them explain what they see (bones, dark spots, arm, leg, knee, etc.).
• Play Video Clip 1.  Learners and teacher can join in by doing the actions of the song! (1:58 minutes).  The song will help learners remember the different parts of a skeleton.       

• For fun the class can be divided into two groups [boys and girls].
  • Each group will line up in rows [rows should be kept straight].
  • Each group will get an opportunity to dance while the other group sings the bone song in the Video Clip above.
  • The words to the song can be found on the same Youtube page.

• Tell the learners they will be leaning about the following:
  • the animal (vertebrates and invertebrates) skeletons.
  • the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates.
  • the 3 different types of skeleton.
  • movement in vertebrates.

Show Presentation 1.  Tell learners to pay close attention as they will have to complete a worksheet on this section afterwards.

• Hand out Worksheet A for learners to complete.
• Go through the answers with the learners afterwards.

• Hand out Worksheet B for learners to complete.
• This may also be given to the learners as a homework task.
• Go through the answers with the learners afterwards.

• Before showing Presentation 2, determine if the learners know the meaning of CLASSIFICATION (put into a group or category).
• The learners are divided in groups of 4-6. They must jot down the most important facts about the content of the presentation and provide feedback on what they have jotted down.
• Continue with the presentation.

• Hand out Worksheet C for learners to complete.
• Go through the answers with the learners afterwards.

• Show Video Clip 2 (0:44 minutes).  The different types of joints and functions are shown in this video.

• Hand out Worksheet D for learners to complete.
• Go through the answers with the learners afterwards.

• Praise the learners for their:
  • practical participation.
  • good group work.
  • completed answers.
• Inspire the learners to do research work on the tortoise’s shell and the snail’s shell [they can report back the following lesson].