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You are here: Home / science / anatomy / Human Body: The Backbone (simple model)

Human Body: The Backbone (simple model)

November 20, 2011 by Maureen Spell 11 Comments

Right now we are on break, but I thought I’d try to come up with a few review activities for when our co-op starts back up in February. One thing we kind of glossed over due to time was talking about our backbone. I came up with a very simple model of the backbone for my K-2nd grade group. My goal is for them to realize that:

1. Our spinal column has a spinal cord.
2. The spinal cord is an important part of the nervous system and needs to be protected.
3. The bones that make up our back are called vertebrate. There are different sections of vertebrate—neck, chest, and bottom.
4. The vertebrae (24 of them) stack on top of each other with discs in between. This allows us to move in many different ways and directions and still protects the spinal cord.

backbonemodel

Supplies:

1 pool noodle
1 laundry line or rope
24 pony tail holders/thick rubber bands
Exacto knife

backbone2

First cut the pool noodle into 24 pieces with an Exacto-knife. Next cut a piece of rope a little longer than the 24 pieces of “noodle”.

backbonemodel3

Have your students string the pieces together on the rope.  Talk about what each piece represents in the spinal column. The rope will represent the spinal cord, the pool noodle will be the vertebrae, and the pony tail holders are the discs.

backbonemodel4

Use this to show the kids how flexible our backbone can be. I have a full-size pool noodle that I will be bringing in as well. Even though it moves many directions, it is not as flexible as the vertebrae and disc model.

Check out what we have done in our anatomy unit so far:

Linking up to:

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Filed Under: anatomy, science Tagged With: anatomy

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Comments

  1. Stacey says

    November 20, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    Wow, this will make a great review for the spine. We just finished up the digestive system. Tomorrow we check how our teeth have been doing in soda pop all weekend.

    Reply
  2. Stef Layton says

    November 21, 2011 at 1:33 am

    you are a genius !!

    Reply
  3. Ticia says

    November 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    That is awesome! You're making me really look forward to anatomy.

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    November 23, 2011 at 11:36 pm

    What a fantastic idea! This whole series has been wonderful. I am planning to start an A&P section in the late winter with my 5 and 6 year olds. I have been pinning your ideas like mad. Thank you for sharing so generously.

    Pam in Missouri

    qcaller
    at
    yahoo

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    November 26, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    Too Cool!

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    December 1, 2011 at 1:01 am

    This is great. I am going to share your post as on my blog and direct my bloggers to your site. Love this. 🙂

    http://homeizcool101.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  7. nitsanem.com says

    January 21, 2012 at 3:15 am

    you are aware that it is not an accurate description of the spine in the sense that the spinal chord does not pass inside the vertebrae and the discs, right? 😉
    I love it, and as soon as I get out of bed (sciatica) I will make this with my kids. But I'd explain about the chord.

    Reply
  8. Carol Morgan says

    April 13, 2013 at 9:29 pm

    This is GREAT!!! Thanks! FYI – any time you have to cut foam (other than styrofoam), an electric knife does the trick in no time.

    Reply
  9. willy wonka says

    February 4, 2016 at 3:44 pm

    this is great and i used this to make a science project for school. thx alot

    Reply
  10. Claudia says

    May 21, 2017 at 1:51 pm

    Muy bueno

    Reply
  11. Denise says

    July 30, 2020 at 2:02 pm

    What an amazing idea! Thank you!

    Reply

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