Bones, Brains, and You: Exploring the Skeletal and Nervous Systems

Science Grades 5th Grade 23:47 Video
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Lesson Description

Discover the amazing skeletal and nervous systems that keep your body moving, thinking, and feeling! This lesson explores bones, joints, the brain, and how they all work together.

Video Resource

The Skeletal System | Bones and Brain | Science For Kids | Grade 5 | Periwinkle

Periwinkle

Duration: 23:47
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • The skeletal system provides support, protection, and movement.
  • The nervous system controls bodily functions and allows us to interact with the world.
  • Bones, joints, the brain, spinal cord, and nerves are key components of these systems.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify the main parts of the skeletal system and their functions.
  • Describe the different types of joints and their movements.
  • Explain the functions of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and medulla.
  • Understand the role of the spinal cord and nerves in transmitting information.
  • Describe the different senses and associated organs.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about bones and the brain. Show a picture of a skeleton and ask what its purpose is. Briefly introduce the idea that bones give us shape and protect our organs, and the brain controls everything we do.
  • Video Viewing (24 mins)
    Play the YouTube video "The Skeletal System | Bones and Brain | Science For Kids | Grade 5 | Periwinkle." Encourage students to take notes on key vocabulary and concepts as they watch. Pause at intervals to clarify points or ask brief comprehension questions.
  • Skeletal System Deep Dive (15 mins)
    Discuss the different parts of the skeletal system covered in the video (skull, spine, rib cage, limbs, girdles). Emphasize the functions of each part, such as the skull protecting the brain and the rib cage protecting the heart and lungs. Discuss bone marrow and tendons and their functions. Use a model skeleton (if available) to point out the different bones and joints.
  • Joints in Action (10 mins)
    Review the different types of joints: immovable, pivot, ball and socket, hinge, and gliding. Have students demonstrate the movements associated with each type of joint. Discuss how cartilage and synovial fluid help joints move smoothly.
  • Brain Power (15 mins)
    Discuss the three main parts of the brain: cerebrum, cerebellum, and medulla. Explain the functions of each part (cerebrum: thinking, reasoning; cerebellum: coordination, balance; medulla: involuntary actions like breathing and heartbeat). Explain the purpose of the spinal cord, nerves, and reflex actions.
  • Senses and Sense Organs (10 minutes)
    Discuss the five senses and the corresponding sense organs (eyes, ears, tongue, nose, skin). Briefly describe how each sense organ works to gather information about the environment. Ask the students to name what each organ is responsible for and what they might be missing out on if one of these senses were to go away.
  • Review and Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the key concepts of the lesson. Answer any remaining questions. Briefly introduce the idea of caring for our bones and brains through proper nutrition and exercise.

Interactive Exercises

  • Skeletal System Scavenger Hunt
    Have students work in pairs to find different bones in their own bodies (e.g., find your radius, your tibia). Discuss which bones are easy to find and which are not, and why.
  • Joint Movement Demonstration
    Call out a type of joint (e.g., hinge joint) and have students demonstrate a movement that uses that type of joint (e.g., bending the elbow).
  • Reflex Action Test
    Gently tap a student's knee with the side of your hand to demonstrate the knee-jerk reflex. Discuss why this reflex is important.

Discussion Questions

  • Why is it important to protect our bones and brain?
  • How do our bones and brain work together to help us play sports or do other activities?
  • What are some things we can do to keep our bones strong and our brains healthy?

Skills Developed

  • Observation
  • Critical thinking
  • Communication
  • Comprehension

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of these is NOT a function of the skeletal system?

Correct Answer: Digesting food

Question 2:

What part of the bone makes blood cells?

Correct Answer: Bone marrow

Question 3:

What connects muscles to bones?

Correct Answer: Tendons

Question 4:

Which part of the skull is movable?

Correct Answer: Lower Jaw

Question 5:

What is the name of the bones that make up your spine?

Correct Answer: Vertebrae

Question 6:

Which joint allows you to move your head up and down?

Correct Answer: Pivot Joint

Question 7:

Which part of the brain controls your balance and coordination?

Correct Answer: Cerebellum

Question 8:

What does the medulla control?

Correct Answer: Breathing

Question 9:

Which nerve carries messages from the eyes to the brain?

Correct Answer: Optic Nerve

Question 10:

What is an action controlled by the spinal cord without involving the brain called?

Correct Answer: Reflex Action

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The framework of bones in your body is called the ____________.

Correct Answer: skeleton

Question 2:

The long bones have a soft tissue inside called ____________ ____________.

Correct Answer: bone marrow

Question 3:

The rib cage protects the ____________ and ____________.

Correct Answer: heart, lungs

Question 4:

A ____________ is where two or more bones meet.

Correct Answer: joint

Question 5:

Strong tissues called ____________ hold bones together at a joint.

Correct Answer: ligaments

Question 6:

The ____________ is the largest part of the brain and controls thinking.

Correct Answer: cerebrum

Question 7:

The ____________ is the part of the brain that controls balance and posture.

Correct Answer: cerebellum

Question 8:

The ____________ connects the brain to the rest of the body.

Correct Answer: spinal cord

Question 9:

The ____________ are known as messengers of the body

Correct Answer: nerves

Question 10:

The _____________________ is the largest organ of the body

Correct Answer: skin

Educational Standards

5.LS1.1:[Standard] Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water. 5.PS3.1:[Standard] Use models to describe that energy in animals’ food (used for body repair, growth, motion, and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the sun.

Teaching Materials

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