Spook-tacular Science

Spook-tacular Science

    Last year I found the coolest Halloween chips at my local grocery store! This year they were back again so I picked up a couple of bags because I knew that they would be a fun segway into my science unit on bones…

   These yummy treats were only $2.50 a bag so I picked up a couple for my class. Each student can use the “bones” to create a small skeleton. 

Give each student a sandwich baggie with the following Cheetos:

·       Skull (1)

·       Rig cage (1)

·       Hands/feet (4)

·       Straight bones (6-8)

Ask your students to look at the pieces and create a skeleton.

    Before or after your students make their Cheetos skeletons, show them a short video clip. My favorite site to use for videos is Brain Pop or Brain Pop Jr., but it requires a subscription.  This free video from “Make Me Genius” is a quick clip that you can also use. 

     I like to let my students try to make their skeleton first. Then we watch the video and I give them a few minutes to move their bones around if needed. This allows them to reflect on their learning and empowers them to take charge of what they know.

      After we do our intro activity, we discuss the science unit that we’re about to begin. You can do a quick class KWL chart about the skeletal system; ask your students to write a list of skeletal system facts that they know; or give students a sticky note to write one thing/question that they’d like to learn. There’s no limit to the quickie wrap up activities that you can do.

     I even channeled my inner “Miss Frizzle” for my bone unit! This outfit was super-simple to make. I just traced bone patterns onto white felt with a black sharpie. Then I cut them out and used small safety pins to a black sweat suit. And yes, I sprayed my hair orange with clearance Halloween hair spray!

 

Check out my TpT packs for more skeletal system ideas!

Thanks for stopping by!