Activity: Body Map

Goal: To promote awareness and understanding of personal body parts and the body parts of others.
Children will have fun while learning about the anatomy and function of various body parts, including bones and muscles.

Supplies: markers, index cards, tape, (optional) pictures pf body parts as references

Time it will take to teach lesson: 10-20 minutes

Instructions:

Create cards with the names of various body parts that you would like to teach. The following is an example list of terms that you can utilize for this activity (or you can create yourown): Body Parts--arms, legs, feet, hands, head, face, shoulders, etc.; Muscles--biceps, triceps, pectorals, deltoids, abdominals, obliques,etc.; Bones--femur, rib cage, skull, spine, tibula, etc. Attach double-sided tape to the backs of the cards.

Present the children with one card at a time (this can be done as a group or by breaking the children into pairs or small groups). Have children demonstrate the function of the body part presented. For example: "Your group has the arm card. Show us what an arm can do." With help from the teacher the kids might show how they brush their hair, swing an imaginary bat, or do push-ups. Next they place the body part card (arm) correctly on your (the instructor's) corresponding body part. You may choose to use gluteus maximus as your final card for a grande finale. By the end, you should look like a walking bulletin board!

Modifications according to grade and skill level:

To begin this exercise with young children, body parts may include external and simple concepts, such as the arm. As children become more complex in their thinking, the muscles and bones can be utilized and specified by their function.