K3L5 Bones and Spine

Lesson Duration: 45 minutes

Grade: K3

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Learning Objectives:

1. Children will be able to identify differences between animals with and without backbones.
2. Children will be able to understand how the spine works.
3. Children will be able to create and demonstrate spine movement using a model.

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Materials Needed (per group):
• Empty egg carton
• Pipe cleaners
• Coloured foam sheets/construction paper
• Scissors
• Pictures of various animals
• Skeleton model
• X-ray images

Lesson Procedure

5 mins - Welcoming
Greet students with "Hello, explorers!"
Lead "Hello Song"
Introduce today's adventure: "Skeleton Safari"
Show skeleton model

5 mins - Bone Discovery
Display X-ray images
Guide students to feel their backbone
Demonstrate proper posture
Ask students to stand straight and feel their spine

5 mins - Animal Classification
Show pictures of different animals
Explain backbone vs. no backbone
Sort animals into two groups:
With backbone (fish, birds, mammals)
Without backbone (jellyfish, worms, insects)
Invite students to name more animals for each group

15 mins - Spine Model Creation
Prepare materials for each group
Demonstrate model creation step by step:
Cut egg carton into individual cups
Create foam circles
Punch holes in materials
Thread components onto pipe cleaners
Assist students during creation
Check completed models

10 mins - Movement Demonstration
Lead spine movement exercises:
Stretch and Compress
Touch Your Toes
Side Stretches
Demonstrate each movement with spine model
Guide students to feel their own spine during movements
Ask questions about what they observe

5 mins - Wrap-Up
Review key points:
Some animals have backbones
Spine helps us move
Spine is flexible
Lead "Goodbye Song"
Assign home activity: "Feel your spine when you move"