Summer SAVY, Session 3 Day 3, “Biology of the Body: Exploring Human Body Systems” (5th-6th)
Happy Wednesday! The students dove deep into the fascinating world of the skeletal system through a variety of hands-on activities and exciting learning experiences!
To start, students created a colorful booklet all about joints. They identified different types of joints – like hinge, ball-and-socket, and pivot – and learned where these joints are found in the body. This booklet became a handy reference as they explored how our bodies move.
Next, the kids made two models of a hand: one without joints and one with joints. This creative activity helped them see firsthand how joints allow for movement and flexibility, while also understanding what a rigid structure would feel like.
A special highlight was a visit to a nearby classroom studying the ear. We learned about the tiny bones inside the ear and how they help us hear. The instructor, who shared his passion for ears and hearing, told us he was inspired to pursue his passion for teaching others about the ear when he worked with children with hearing loss. Our scholars asked fantastic questions that showed their genuine curiosity. It was inspiring to see how real-life experiences can fuel a love of teaching and learning.
To wrap up the day, students worked in teams to tackle fun challenges and questions about the skeletal system. This friendly competition reinforced their new knowledge and encouraged teamwork.
The campers left feeling energized and proud of all they learned about bones, joints, and even the tiny bones in the ear. It was a wonderful day full of discovery, creativity, and connection.
Thank you to all the families for supporting your children’s curiosity and growth. We look forward to more exciting adventures in learning!
Here are some fun and simple activities parents can do at home to support their child’s learning about the skeletal system:
- Build a Skeleton Model: Use household items like pasta, cotton swabs, or toothpicks to create a simple skeleton. This hands-on project helps kids visualize bone structure and how bones connect.
- Joint Movement Exploration: Play a game identifying different types of joints in the body. For example, ask your child to bend their elbow (hinge joint), rotate their head (pivot joint), or move their shoulder (ball-and-socket joint). Talk about how these joints help us move.
- Bone Trivia Quiz: Create a fun quiz with questions about the number of bones, types of joints, and bone functions. This can be a quick and engaging way to review facts.
- Healthy Bones Snack Time: Prepare snacks rich in calcium and vitamin D together, like yogurt, cheese, or fortified cereal. Talk about why nutrition is important for strong bones.
- Observe and Draw: Encourage your child to trace their hand or foot on paper and label where the major bones are located. This reinforces bone awareness in their own body.
- Read Together: Explore children’s books or online videos about the skeletal system to deepen understanding with visuals and stories.
These activities make learning about bones interactive, relatable, and fun—all from the comfort of home!
In addition, here are some thoughtful discussion questions parents can use at home to deepen your child’s understanding of the skeletal system:
- Why do you think our bones need to be both strong and lightweight?
- How do joints help us move in different ways? Can you think of an activity that uses different joints?
- What do you think would happen if we didn’t have bones? How would our bodies be different?
- How do you take care of your bones every day? Why is that important?
- Can you name some bones in your body and tell me where they are?
- Why do you think the bones in the ear are so small? How do you think they help us hear?
- How do you think your bones grow as you get older? What might help them grow healthy?
- What surprised you most about the skeletal system from what you learned?
