Explore Kits: Muscles

GRADES 3-5

In this lesson the students will be able to define the muscular system, identify three important functions and identify two kinds of muscle action – voluntary and involuntary.

Lesson 1: Students will group a list of muscles and body organs and determine whether their movement is voluntary or involuntary. They will also learn the three different types of muscles.

Lesson 2: Students will learn the importance of muscles to posture and support. They will build a skeleton/muscle model using craft sticks for bones and different connecting materials (tape, duct tape, white glue,…) to represent the muscles. They will present their model and discuss its ability to stand and move.

Lesson 3: Students will use their bodies to move around and then notice how they generate heat with movement. Energy use and release using muscles is discussed.

STATE STANDARDS

1.1: Develop abilities necessary to safely conduct scientific inquiry, including asking questions about objects, events, and organisms in the environment.

  • Make observation using the five senses

  • Record observations by drawing or orally explaining

3.1: Identify that plants and animals have structures and systems that serve functions for growth, survival, and reproduction.

  • List characteristics of living organisms (body systems)

EQUIPMENT PROVIDED IN THE KIT

  • Figure 1 – List of Muscle, organs and heart – Binder

  • Figure 2 – Types of Muscle Chart – Binder

  • Figure 3 – Muscular System Chart

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