Breaking down the skeleton – structure and function

1. For each of the bones, explain how the shape of the bone relates to its function.
2. Cut out the cards and put them into three categories of your choice.
3. Colour the cards in each of the categories a different colour.
4. Place the cards in order on the diamond ranking sheet, starting with what you think is the
most important and ending with the least important.
5. Compare your list with another student’s list. Where do you agree? Choose a bone you have
not agreed on and write a statement to justify its position in your list.

Cranium Femur Pelvis Vertebrae

.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................

.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................

Scapula Radius Sternum Tibia

.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................

Ulna Metatarsals and Jaw Fibula

phalanges
.......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................

Metacarpals and Ribs Humerus Clavicle

phalanges
.......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................

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 Breaking down the skeleton – structure and function

Cranium

Jaw

Clavicle

Scapula
Sternum
Ribs

Humerus

Vertebrae
Radius
Ulna

Pelvis

Metacarpals and phalanges

Femur

Fibula

Tibia

Metatarsals and phalanges

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 Breaking down the skeleton – structure and function

I think that this is the most

1.
important bone in my body because:
.............................................
.............................................
.............................................

2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7. 8.

9. 10. 11. 12.

13. 14. 15.

I think that this is the least 16.

important bone in my body as:
.........................................
.........................................
.........................................

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 Breaking down the skeleton – structure and function
1. For each of the bones, explain how the shape of the bone relates to its function.
2. Cut out the cards and put them into three categories of your choice.
3. Colour the cards in each of the categories a different colour.
4. Place the cards in order on the diamond ranking sheet, starting with what you think is the
most important and ending with the least important.
5. Compare your list with another student’s list. Where do you agree? Choose a bone you have
not agreed on and write a statement to justify its position in your list.

Cranium Femur Pelvis Vertebrae

Head Torso Arms Head Torso Arms Head Torso Arms Head Torso Arms
Legs Hands Feet Legs Hands Feet Legs Hands Feet Legs Hands Feet

Function: Function: Function: Function:

.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................

Scapula Radius Sternum Tibia

Head Torso Arms Head Torso Arms Head Torso Arms Head Torso Arms
Legs Hands Feet Legs Hands Feet Legs Hands Feet Legs Hands Feet

Function: Function: Function: Function:

.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................

Ulna Metatarsals and Jaw Fibula

phalanges
Head Torso Arms Head Torso Arms Head Torso Arms
Legs Hands Feet Head Torso Arms Legs Hands Feet Legs Hands Feet
Legs Hands Feet
Function: Function: Function: Function:
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................

Metacarpals and Ribs Humerus Clavicle

phalanges
Head Torso Arms Head Torso Arms Head Torso Arms
Head Torso Arms Legs Hands Feet Legs Hands Feet Legs Hands Feet
Legs Hands Feet
Function: Function: Function: Function:
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
.......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................

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 Breaking down the skeleton – structure and function
Teaching notes
This KS3 resource works well as an introduction to the human skeletal system.
It looks at the names and functions of bones in the skeleton and asks students to decide how a
bone’s structure and function are related.
There is an opportunity to discuss which bones students think are the most important and which
are the least important.
The resource is differentiated. In the version on p.4, students circle the correct area of the body
before completing the function.
The labelled skeleton on p.2, the diamond ranking layout on p.3 and the extension task and
answers below are also provided as PowerPoint slides.

Extension

1. Where are the smallest bones in the human body? What are they called?
2. If you were asked to locate your patella, which part of your body would you point to?
What is the common, everyday name for each of these bones: patella, clavicle,
scapula and sternum?
3. Which bones are responsible for protecting vital organs? Name three bones (from
different parts of the body) which are involved with movement. Are any bones
involved in both protection and movement? What is the role of the pelvis?
4. What other, rather different, role do some of the larger bones have in the body?

Answers

1. In the ear: ossicles.

2. Kneecap, collarbone, shoulder blade, breastbone.
3. Protect vital organs: skull, rib cage, vertebrae in the spine.
Involved with movement: humerus, jaw and metatarsals, for example.
Involved in both protection and movement: vertebrae and ribs also need to allow
movement.
The pelvis supports and protects digestive and reproductive organs. It also provides
an anchor point for many muscles involved in posture and movement.
4. Blood cells are produced in bone marrow. Bones are also a store of minerals for the
body.

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