Hands-On Projects for Teaching the Body Systems

There are so many activities for teaching the body systems, however it seems like many of the activities  are too simple and only really involve students labeling the parts. I've developed several hands-on activities that push students thinking and ensure they are learning the importance of these body systems and how they work together to keep us healthy. 

Adult supervision is recommended for all activities. Parents and teachers should evaluate each activity for the age, ability, and needs of their children. By participating, you assume responsibility for any risks associated with the activity

Body Systems Poster

Time: 60-90 minutes

Materials:

• Butcher Paper or Larger Poster Paper
• Crayons or Colored Pencils

Steps:

1. Students trace their own body on the butcher paper.
2. They will draw and color the body system of the teacher's choice.
3. Label the organs they have been taught.

Concepts:

• Each body system has specific structures (organs) that perform important functions.
• Models are used to represent and study body structures and functions.

What students will observe:

• The location of organs within the human body.
• How organs are organized within a body system.
• How multiple organs work together to perform a function.

Extension Activities:

While students are thrilled to just draw and label their body system - that usually isn't very rigorous. So here are some questions students can answer to increase the rigor and make connections to real life.

Snack Skin Model

Time: 30 minutes

Materials:

• Marshmallow Squares (represents the fat)
• Creamy Peanut Butter (represents the skin)
• Jelly Beans (represents bacteria)

Steps:

1. Spread 1-2 Tbs of peanut butter on top of the marshmallow square.
2. Place 2-3 green jelly beans on top of the peanut butter.

Concepts:

• The skin is the body's largest organ.
• The skin acts as a protective barrier between the body and the environment.
• Skin helps prevent germs from entering the body.

What students observe:

• The skin covers and protects the layers beneath it.
• The skin forms a barrier between the outside environment and the inside of the body.

Alternatives:

• Use blue and yellow jelly beans as well. Blue jelly beans can represent the sweat we give off when our body is hot. Yellow jelly beans can represent the sun's rays that hit our skin when we are outside.
• Let students use the skin color of their choice by letting them use cookie butter, frosting or hazelnut spread instead (be aware Hazelnut spread is made from nuts)!

Building a Hand to Teach about the Musculoskeletal System

Students will build a human hand to demonstrate their understanding of how the muscular and skeletal systems work together.

Time: 60 minutes

Materials:

• White Card Stock (1 sheet per student)
• Smoothie Straws (3 per student) Twine or string
• Hot Glue
• Twine

Steps

1. Students will trace their hand on white card stock.
2. Cut the straws into various sized pieces.
3. An adult should hot glue straws onto the hand (2 pieces per finger and 5 total pieces in the hand stemming off from each finger).
4. String the twine though the straws from the tip of the finger through the wrist. 
5. Students gently pull on the strings to move each finger. 
   

FAQ

What materials did you use?

There's no need to purchase the exact materials listed here. Many comparable items will work just as well! We've included links to products we've had positive experiences with in case they're helpful as you gather supplies.

• Butcher Paper
• Crayons or Colored Pencils
• Crispy Marshmallow Squares
• Peanut Butter (or other items discussed above)
• Jelly Beans
• White cardstock
• Scissors
• Hot Glue
• Twine
• Smoothie Straws*

What prior knowledge should students have?

For all of these activities students should have learned the concept already. These projects are to demonstrate their understanding of what they have been taught. If you follow the 5E instructional model these activities would come after the "Explore" section. Interested in what the 5E model is: get my free guide here!

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