We have been given a model skeleton (see Fig 1) by one of our parents, so our attention in science has been turned to that and we will go from there to other parts of the body.

While there are numerous sources of information about the human skeleton, the ability to get hold of it, move its arms and legs, feel its ribs, spine, shoulder blades and pelvis, while comparing them as far as we could with our own, has aroused real interest in the children. I was concerned in advance that they might find it scary, but that has not happened. It was quickly named Bone Appetite – it was assembled after a French lesson – and is the first thing the children head for on entering the science room.

In the next lesson we will go on to the BBC websites, www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/8_9/science_8_9.shtml  and www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/
The latter is rather advanced but gives the opportunity to test the children’s knowledge with a skeleton assembly game.

We express our thanks to the BBC for these sources of information and enjoyment.