Description
Two Bone-Apart® sets offer Grades 4-10 more opportunities to construct, deconstruct, and reconstruct the skeletal body. Bones are “apart,” so when joined they visually demonstrate the architectural nature of the body and the diversity of the joints which are necessary to the study of stability and mobility. The “named” bone magnets provide practical, unforgettable experiences that bring structural anatomy to life. Each Bone-Apart® set requires your own vertical magnetized surface (like a magnetic white board) or a metal surface (like a file cabinet). (Also use horizontally on the floor or a long table.)
Each set includes a fun Bonaparte hat magnet to signal that Bone-Apart® is accurate with all bones in place.
- Bone-Apart® only wears the hat when he is correctly built.
- In relays, the hat signals “stop or pause” until accuracy is verified.
- An absent hat signals the skeleton needs assistance. Maybe the teacher switches bones around before class to allow all who dress out early to earn an extra point for replacing his bones and his hat).
- Notice he is not wearing a hat. Can you find the two bones that are transposed (incorrectly)?
-Go to the single Bone-Apart® description for more info and to open the Suggested Teaching Activities–
Each of the complete Bone-Apart® Sets includes:
- 35 bone magnets
- 1 hat magnet
- 17 anterior view bones (labeled)
- 17 posterior view bones (labeled)
- A list of suggested activities
- A clear plastic storage box with handle
Requirements: Each Bone-Apart® requires use of a large flat magnetized surface (like a magnetic white board or file cabinet).
Age Range: MS, HS, grade 5
Applications: Science, anatomy, dance, dance science; gifted education, education labs; summer programs, private dance studios
Teaching Activities to download: When you order this resource get many excellent lessons for it at Suggested Teaching Activities.
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Some Suggested Activities
To begin, use these tactile-visual aids to increase personal engagement with one’s own skeletal system. Because bones are near life-size, ask students what size they think their own bones are before they see them. Then let them check the accuracy of their own perception after they handle them.
- Divide students into four groups.
- Separate both construction sets into their respective 18 anterior bones and 17 posterior bones. This gives you four sets of bones (two each view).
- Give each group one complete set of either anterior or posterior view bones to assemble in order to learn to construct an accurate skeleton from one view.
- Another day, switch stations so the group practices assembling a different view.
- Later in the year, after everyone is proficient in both views, divide the class into four teams. Time the assembly process to see which group is first to assemble it correctly. Vary the way the timed competitive assemblies are set up.
- Eventually divide into two teams. Increase complexity by mixing up all the bones in one set (anterior and posterior). Set the blue Napoleon Bonaparte hat nearby or underneath the bone magnet pile so it is the last magnet available.
- In two teams, time the construction to see which team can accurately construct the skeleton in both views and put the blue hat magnet on before the other team.
- Let the other team scrutinize the finished product. If they find something amiss, they yank off the hat and start back to work while the other team tries to correct their mistakes.
