Check it! - Skeletons and Muscles - Year 3

Exploring the human body, specifically the functions of skeletons and muscles, is an integral part of the Year 3 curriculum. To ensure that children retain their learning on this topic, regular review opportunities are recommended. These could take the form of various activities such as a 'Brain dump', where children spill all they know onto paper, or 'Give me FIVE!', which could involve naming five animals with skeletons or listing five carbohydrate-rich foods. Other methods include adding information to a mind map, expanding on existing knowledge, or using retrieval pyramids to assess understanding at different levels of complexity.

The curriculum encourages children to understand the significance of having a skeleton and muscles, prompting them to consider questions about the skeletal system, such as its main functions and the specific bones that protect vital organs like the heart. Additionally, children learn about muscles and how they operate, as well as the different types of joints within the human body. Recognising the importance of a balanced diet is also emphasised, with activities that might include naming protein-rich foods. These exercises not only reinforce knowledge but also help develop the children's ability to recall and elaborate on what they have learned about the human body's structure and function.