Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Skeletal System Unit Study ~ 7 Resources and Activities


As you know, Halloween is one of my favorite holidays  ever 
and I simply looooooove 
blogging all of our learning, crafts, treats and general fun.
We're juuuuuust about right to wrap up a study of the skeletal system
in our homeschool......
timed for Halloween...why not, right?
And I thought I'd organize myself as I share
some practical and enjoyable resources in the process.
So here's a gathering, in really, no particular order,
 of a few goodies around the human skeletal system.
Some of these items were used in years past for a study and how much fun we had
re-living the Halloweens and activities we did in 2010 and 2011!

In our homeschool, we don't use a science textbook per se;
Instead, I hunt down resources and sometimes create my own
 to suit our topics and needs.......
~Enjoy~



~1~
Educational DVDs for intro or review: 
Bill Nye's Bones and Muscles

We're huge fans of Bill.
Huge fans.
The way he presents the skeletal and muscular systems here
is fun, thorough and chock full of snippets of info!

Ever hear of Schlessinger Media?
No matter the topic, the systematic offering of facts is
wonderfully engaging!
 Skeletal and Muscular Systems


We've got a whole shelf of Eyewitness videos and books.
When my kids were small, they were even found immersed in
  Eyewitness books under their covers with flashlights,
waaaaaay after bedtime!
I'm sure you know the series; 
it's  staple in many HSing homes and classroom shelves.




~ 2~ 
Workbook/coloring book
I'm in love with the series of "coloring books" by Wynn Kapit:
The Anatomy Coloring Book is super "advanced." 

Each of the pages on a certain body system  have amazingly detailed focus
and captions on each page that are a wealth of info.
The skeletal system is handled in so in depth a manner.
Names and functions of bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons.
Doesn't it look eye catching?




~3~
Informative/helpful books:
These titles are middle school-ish and fully 
accessible, with practical diagrams and information.

Skeletons: Bones and How They Work




No, the above is not solely on the human skeletal system, 
but fascinating and informative nonetheless...

Here's a shot of my little guys about four years ago, studying bones
  and using this title: Uncover the Human Body
 and a few of the resources I mention~~



 The little skeletal system game was found at our local Dollar Tree!!
It's definitely a lot of fun!


 And Skelly, our model?
Not sure where we got it...
it's one of those things that has been in our "schoolroom" forever.
Easily obtainable on amazon or science supply sites.


~4~
~Interactive websites~
These sites are super enjoyable while reinforcing bone placement and names.
At  these sites, kids can
 label the bones
play games and reinforce their knowledge!
Enjoy!!



~ 5 ~
Fun and learning with REAL X Rays!!
How cool would it be to  construct a human skeleton
through actual x rays on film??
Guess what....... you can!
I was so excited about these when my friend AnnaMarie shared her set.....
I decided I had to invest in this for our homeschool!
Here are a few shots of how we are using the x rays:

Right now, we've hung and labelled the bones that my son knows.
Tomorrow, from the pelvis down to the metatarsals will be added!

The set provides a label for each bone...
however, I think it's important for my little guy to write his own \
labels...it;s just more interactive than slapping the given label up there.
I just feel it is necessary, given the framework of our instruction.
Many may not.
I'll add the rest of Mr Skeleton when he's completed!

~ 6~
A pretty art project~
Not "scientific," but just fun:
My son created what he is calling a "sugar skull."
Supplies:
8x10 canvas
paint markers
tempera paint and brushes
gems
gravel/sand

I think the making of a sugar skull is kinda individual and pretty
self explanatory....
Enjoy!!



~ 7 ~
Hands -  on Bones!

For some super clever and unique hands-on activities involving bones,
I'm sending you over to my friend,
Anna-Maria at  Life's Adventure,
who blogged her skeletal system activities recently as well.
She's got some pretty cool stuff happening in her homeschool and you  if
you're embarking on this topic, you definitely want to see her what her kids are up to!
I also found my x rays through Anna-Maria!



 ~8 ~
and another unscientific bonus:
Costumes and cookies~

And for a  fun Halloween dress-up  idea.....:
at one point or another,  each of  my kids wore Mr Bones
in years past......
They had to name 10 bones
 before they donned the costume in order to trick or treat......




Gingerbread skeletons??
Yup.
And SO easy too:
The perfect dessert after trick or treating!







Here's what you need:
Gingerbread cookie mix
Wilton icing writer
rolling pin
gingerbread man cookie cutter
(I like the metal cutters, not plastic)
red food color
(for a bit of realistic blood if the kids like!)

Bake, decorate as "skeletally" as possible
 and enjoy!!



Hey, for more fun, treats, crafts, decorating ideas, please head to my 
latest Artful Friday a round up of
Halloween/Autumn Fun:  7 Crafts, Treats, Literature & Decor 
I hope to "see" you there!!


I am grateful to link this post to
and Conversion Diary's QTs
as well as a few other homeschool/family hops on my sidebar.

 Friends, as always,  
thank you for stopping over and 
spending some of your precious time 
here at my home on the web!
And hey:

Have you signed up to receive my posts in your email inbox?
   If not, just enter your email address here
so we can be in touch regularly!

Enter your email address:



You might wish to follow on Facebook as well.....

Until next time,

~Chris


Post dividers and general cutesies,
courtesy of Shabby Blogs

10 comments:

  1. OH WOW Chris! This is an amazing post full of great goodies! Gosh, when we did the skeleton system in our Apologia Anatomy text last year, I didn't even scratch the surface of digging deeper into fun activities like you have listed here! Whew! So fun! I love all the creativity and fun! I'm sure your boys learned soooo much with all the hands on activities! Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tra
      How kind of you! Love your visits AND coments

      Thanks for your kind words....It's always encouraging, getting an email/.comment from you!

      Have a great night friend:)

      Delete
  2. Ah thanks for the plug, I have been neglecting blog land this year just so much going on in my life. Isn't the skeleton X-rays the coolest thing, ours is still on the window and kids won't take it down Until after Halloween:). We love Bill nye videos too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're SO welcome, friend....Is ee you have MORE skeletal activities up on joints this week! I can't keep up with you...it all looks great. I have yet to read in depth on your curriculum, but I'll get there soon to see how I can adapt it all!
      Thanks for visiting!!

      Delete
  3. Hi again Chris! I loved this post so much I linked it up to my 7 QT post where I have a veggie skeleton I made for today's All Saints Day party and All Hallows Eve :) Here's the link: http://asliceofsmithlife.blogspot.com/2014/10/7-quick-takes-braces-off-my-win-corn.html Have a blessed All Hallows Eve and All Saints Day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How sweet, Tracy!!
      THANK YOU!

      I am heading over to your blog now. I always love your posts, esp your QTs/wrap up posts.

      Hope the party went beautifully!

      Delete
  4. What a fabulous roundup, Chris! I love all the timely and fun skeleton links. I'll have to spend some time with my son going though them all. And those gingerbread skeletons! We will definitely be making those. He loves gingerbread cookies :).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Candace!
      Enjoy the books and resources.....some of them are really great! And those cookies...so much fun1

      i appreciate your visit friend! Good to "see" you!

      Delete
  5. What a great way to tie the curriculum in with the seasonal festivities. I love the sugar skull art and the gingerbread skeletons. Popping by from Creative Mondays.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks So much!
      Always love your visits, friend.

      Thanks for the kind words~!

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.. .....
I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!!
I will reply right here in the combox; so please check back if you'd like to continue the conversation.
If you'd like, you can contact me instead via email ~
campfiresandcleatsATgmail DOT com.