CECsci.134


TITLE:    Bone Transformations

AUTHOR:   Cathy D. McKenzie, Parkside Elementary,
          Powell, WY

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:  Appropriate for grades 3-4.
     Science/art   (DIFFICULTY LEVEL:  Level III)

OVERVIEW:  This activity was developed as an art
activity in conjunction with a bone/muscle unit.  It
encourages students to think about bones and their
unique shape(s).  Students are also encouraged to be
original and creative in their thinking and designing.

OBJECTIVE(s):  Students will be able to:
1.  Examine the unique shape of bones and discuss
    the purpose of that shape.
2.  Attempt to break the "creative block" and think
    of the bone as something other than a bone.
3.  List the many, different and unusual things a
    bone could become.
4.  Illustrate one or more bone transformations.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:  real bones for examples, copies
of a bone for each student, pencils, crayons, drawing
paper

ACTIVITIES:
1.  Discuss the shape of bones and the purpose of
    that shape using real bones as examples.
2.  Give each student their own copy of a bone and
    have them  cut it out.
3.  Tell the students they may place the bone in any
    position on their paper.
4.  In groups, have the students list the many,
    different and unusual things the bone could
    become.
5.  Each student will then illustrate a bone
    transformation on their own piece of paper.
6.  Transformations will then be shared with the
    class.

PROBLEM STATEMENT:  Students will list the many,
different and unusual things a bone could become.
Students will illustrate the bone transformation of
their choice.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  This is a wonderful activity to
introduce a new unit.  It gets the students interested
and motivated to learn more. This activity also allows
for  immediate student success which gives them
confidence as the unit progresses.