The skeleton protects our internal organs and allows us to move. It has six main functions: support, movement, protection, production of blood cells, storage of minerals, and endocrine regulation. The main skeletal structures that protect internal organs are the cranium (protecting the brain), ribs and sternum (protecting the lungs, heart and digestive organs), and pelvis (protecting the digestive and reproductive organs). The three main functions of the skeleton are support, which holds organs in place; movement, which occurs through muscles attached to bones; and protection of vital organs like the brain.

1. The Skeletal
System
By Joel Hickling

2. The Skeleton
The skeleton protects our organs in the body. It is
like an armour that protects our vital organs and
all our insides. We need a skeleton for us to
function and to survive without a skeleton we
would look a bit like this…

3. The skeleton serves
six major functions;
1)Support
2)Movement
3)Protection
4)Production of blood
cells
5)Storage of minerals
6)Endocrine regulation.

5. Cranium: protects the brain
Ribs/sternum: protects the lungs,
heart and some digestive organs
Pelvis: protects and supports the
digestive and reproductive organs
Spinal column: protects the spine
Here are some specific
examples…

7. The Main Functions…
The three main functions of the skeleton are support,
movement, protection.
Support: Holds your vital organs in place when playing sport.
The vertebral column holds the body upright.
Protection: The cranium and ribs protect the brain and vital
organs in the chest. If these were to be damaged it could be
fatal.
Movement: Muscles are attached to bones, which are jointed.
When the muscles contract the bones move.

9. Moving onto the Handouts…
Give out handouts and give pupils 120 seconds
to memorise as many of the parts to the
skeleton as they possibly can.
Take handouts back in and get the blank copy
out, point to a specific part and ask the pupils to
give thumbs up if they are confident that they
know what it is called a thumbs down if they
have no idea and a middle thumbs if they could
have a guess. Then pick one to give their answer.