VOCABULARY
STRATEGIES
THEME:
THE SKELETAL AND
MUSCULAR SYSTEMS
GRADE THREE
Created By:
Kristin Wahl
R E 5540
ASU Reading Cohort
STANDARD COURSE OF STUDY
GRADE THREE
SCIENCE
Competency Goal 4:
The learner will conduct investigations and use appropriate
technology to build an understanding of the form and function of
the skeletal and muscle systems of the human body.
Objectives:
4.01 Identify the skeleton as a system of the human body.
4.02 Describe several functions of bones:



Support.
Protection.
Locomotion.
4.03 Describe the functions of different types of joints:



Hinge.
Ball and socket.
Gliding.
4.04 Describe how different kinds of joints allow movement and
compare this to the movement of mechanical devices.
4.05 Observe and describe how muscles cause the body to move.
Reference:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/science/scos/2004/1
5grade3
STUDENT FRIENDLY
VOCABULARY DEFINITIONS
Body system – a group of organs that work together to perform a specific function
Skeletal System - body system that consists of the bones, joints, ligaments, and cartilage that
supports, protects, and moves the body
Muscular system - The body system that is made up of all the different types of muscles in the
body
Skeleton – The framework of your body that consists of bones, joints, ligaments, and cartilage
Function – The job or duty that someone or something is given
Support - To hold in position and to keep from falling, sinking, or slipping.
Locomotion - The ability to move from place to place.
Protection – To keep something safe from harm
Bones – The thick tissue made up of minerals such as calcium that makes up most of the skeletal
system
Joints – A place where two or more bones meet
Hinge Joint – A type of joint that allows bones to move back and forth in one direction. It is
similar to a door hinge. Examples include the knees.
Ball and socket Joint – A type of joint that includes the ball of one bone that fits into the
socket, or cup, of another bone. These joints allow bones to move back and forth, in a circle,
and side to side. Examples include the hips.
Gliding Joints – A type of joint that allows the bones to slide against one another. These joints
allow some movement in all directions. It is similar to a sliding door. Examples include the small
bones in the wrists and ankles.
Tendons - A band of tough tissue that connects muscles to bones
Ligaments - A sheet or band of tough tissue that connects bones to other bones
Growth - An increase in size, number, value, or strength
Organs – A part of the body that performs a specific function
Vital - Necessary to stay alive or very important
Mechanical devices – A machine or object that serves a specific function or job
Muscles – Bundles of tissue that work and contract to move a certain bone or part of the body
Circular motion – the movement of something that goes around in a circle or in all directions
Cartilage – Tough, smooth, elastic material in the joint that prevents bones from rubbing
together
THIS VOCABULARY LIST WAS CREATED BY USING THE THIRD GRADE SCIENCE
STANDARD COURSE OF STUDY AND SCIENCE BOOKS THAT I PLAN TO USE AS A
REFERENCE TOOL DURING THIS UNIT
References:
VOCABULARY STRATEGY # 1
USING VOCABULARY TERMS TO GIVE EXAMPLES
Cognition Level: Basic
When would this strategy be used in the unit?
This strategy would be best used at a point in the unit when all of the vocabulary terms
listed below have already been taught. Students would be allowed to use any reference
tools such as books, diagrams, or the internet in order to locate examples to be placed
under each vocabulary term.
Directions: There are several vocabulary terms listed below. Think of several parts of the
body that would be examples of each vocabulary term. When you finish, discuss your examples
with your partner and then add any more examples to your list.
Vocabulary Term
Bones
Muscles
Organs
Joints
Cartilage
Examples of Vocabulary Term
Skull, Pelvis, Hands, Feet,
Clavicle, Vertebrae, Ribcage,
Femur, Shoulders
Biceps, Triceps, Calves,
Stomach, Heart, Face muscles,
Quadriceps
Heart, Liver, Brain, Lungs,
Kidneys, Skin, Pancreas, Large
intestine, Small intestine
Shoulders, Hips, Knees, Wrists,
Ankles, Elbows, Knuckles
Nose, Ears
Extension Activity:
 Tell your students to select one of the vocabulary terms from the list. Then select
one of the examples that they have listed for that vocabulary term. For example, one
student might choose the vocabulary term muscles and select the heart muscle. The
students will take the part of the body that they have selected and write a journal
entry about the typical day that this body part would experience. Students may use a
diary type format to create this journal entry. In order to write this piece, students
must have a good understanding of this body part’s specific function. Further
research may be done in order to locate enough information to complete this journal
entry.
VOCABULARY STRATEGY # 2
COMPARE AND CONTRAST
Cognition Level: Intermediate
When would this strategy be used in the unit?
This strategy would be best used after the lesson focusing on joints. The students must
have a basic understanding of joints and how they are a part of the skeletal system.
Students must also have a basic understanding of the different types of joints. The next
lesson would focus on the relationship between the different types of joints and the
mechanical devices that would be most similar to these joints.
Extension Activities:
 Allow students to research joints in the entire body. While the students are researching
other types of joints in the body, they can characterize them as one of the three types
of joints that we have learned about in class.
 Based upon the directions in which the different types of joints move, allow students to
create devices that would model the type of joint that they have selected. Students
would be supplied with various materials such as rubber bands, popsicle sticks, pencils,
erasers, Styrofoam balls, pipe cleaners, and paper clips.
Directions: Explain how the following terms are similar and how they are different by using the
three part Venn Diagram.
Types of Joints
 Hinge Joint
 Ball and Socket Joint
 Gliding Joint
Hinge
Joint




Moves back and
forth in one
direction
Similar to a door
hinge
Example: Knees


Joints
Skeletal
System



Gliding
Joint
Slide against one another
Move in all directions
Examples: wrists and ankles
Ball of a bone fits into
the socket or cup of
another
Moves around in all
directions
Example: Hips
Ball and
Socket
Joint
Gliding
Joint
VOCABULARY STRATEGY # 3
WORD SORT
Cognition Level: Intermediate to Advanced
When would this strategy be used in the unit?
This strategy would be best used near the end of the unit when all of
these terms have been taught. Because this is a higher level thinking
skill, the students need to have a strong understanding of these
terms.
Directions: Put the words listed below into categories. You may choose how
many categories to create. Then write a short explanation as to why you
placed these words in the categories that you did.
Extension:
 Now that we have separated these terms into categories two
different ways, try to create one more way that we can separate
these terms. Write a different explanation from the ones that
you already use.
Terms:
Muscular System
Skeletal System
Skeleton
Protection
Bones
Muscles
Support
Locomotion
Organs
Joints
Tendons
Ligaments
Cartilage
Hinge Joint
Ball and Socket Joint
Gliding Joint
Group 1 – Muscular System
Muscular System
Muscles
Support
Locomotion
Tendons
Group 2 – Skeletal System
Skeletal System
Skeleton
Protection
Bones
Support
Locomotion
Organs
Joints
Tendons
Ligaments
Cartilage
Hinge Joint
Ball and Socket Joint
Gliding Joint
Explanation: I put these terms into the categories Skeletal System and
Muscular System because some words related to the skeletal system the
most and the other words related to the muscular system the most.
Group 1 – Protection
Skeletal System
Skeleton
Bones
Cartilage
Group 2 – Support
Muscular System
Skeletal System
Skeleton
Bones
Muscles
Organs
Joints
Group 3 - Locomotion
Muscular System
Skeletal System
Skeleton
Bones
Muscles
Joints
Tendons
Ligaments
Hinge Joint
Ball and Socket Joint
Gliding Joint
Explanation: I separated these words into three categories based upon
which terms related to the three functions of the muscular and skeletal
system, protection, support, and locomotion.
VOCABULARY STRATEGY # 4
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER: TREE MAP
Cognitive Level: Intermediate
When would this strategy be used in the unit?
This strategy would be bested used after a basic introduction to both
the skeletal and muscular system. The students need to have a basic
understanding of each system and the functions, parts, and examples
from each system.
Directions: Use the tree map that I have given you and fill in the blank
shapes (blue). You may use any books or diagrams as a reference guide.
Extension Activity:
 Select one of the details listed under function, parts, or examples.
Then create a tree map or a bubble map using more details and
elaboration just about that one word that you have chosen. More
research may need to be done with books, reference materials, and
the Internet in order to further expand upon these terms.
BODY SYSTEMS
MUSCULAR
SYSTEM
SKELETAL
SYSTEM
Function
Example
Function
Parts
Locom
otion
Muscles
Example
Parts
Femur
Quads
Locom
otion
Bones
Biceps
Protecti
on
ligament
s
Ribs
Support
Joints
Knee
VOCABULARY STRATEGY # 5
ANALOGIES
Cognitive Level: Advanced
When would this strategy be used in the unit?
This strategy would be best used near the end of the unit because in
order to complete analogies students need to have a complete
understanding of the terms. Students need to be able to how these
terms are related to one another.
Directions: Read the analogies and consider how the terms in each analogy
are similar or how they are different. Then consider which word would best
be placed into the blank place (blue). When you finish, check your answers
with a partner and then complete the extension activity.
Extension Activity:
 Create your own analogies for a partner. Remember to leave one
space blank. Remember to give good clues about what the missing
word could possibly be. Trade analogies with a partner and see if
you can fill in the correct word in each analogy.
1. SKELETAL SYSTEM: BONES :: MUSCULAR SYSTEM : MUSCLE
2. GLIDING : HIP :: BALL AND SOCKET : SHOULDER
3. KNEE : HINGE :: WRIST : GLIDING
4. SKELETAL SYSTEM : PROTECTION :: MUSCULAR SYSTEM :
LOCOMOTION
5. LIGAMENTS : BONES :: TENDONS : MUSCLES AND BONES
6. LOCOMOTION : MOVEMENT :: PROTECTION : SAFETY
7. BICEP : ARM :: QUADRACEPT : LEG
8. FEMUR : LEG :: CLAVICLE : CHEST
9. ORGAN : LUNG :: CARTILAGE : EAR
10. BALL AND SOCKET : CIRCULAR MOTION :: HINGE : BACK AND
FORTH
VOCABULARY STRATEGY # 6
FEATURE ANALYSIS
Directions: Think about the three types of joints that we know - the hinge joint, the ball
and socket joint, and the gliding joint. Think about how these joints move if they remind
you of any mechanical devices that we know of. Remember, a mechanical device is defined
as a type of machine or object that serves a specific function or job. Put an X next to the
feature that applies to the type of joint.
Gliding Joints
Back and Forth
Motion
Circular Motion
Slide Against Each
Other Motion
Works like a clock
Works like a door
Works like a light
switch
Works like a sliding
window
Works like a wheel
Works like a camera
lens
Works like a swing
Ball and Socket
Joints
Hinge Joints
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
VOCABULARY STRATEGY # 7
FRAYER MODEL
YOUR DEFINITION IN
YOUR OWN WORDS
DESCRIBE WHAT IT
LOOKS LIKE
Thick cords of tissue
connecting muscles to bones.
Tendons remind me of rubber
bands that stretch. At each end of
the rubber band is either the muscle
or the bone. Tendons are flexible
and can move in all directions.
TENDON
EXAMPLES



Tendons connect your
heel in the foot to your
calf muscle
Tendons connect your
quadriceps in your legs to
your knee bone
Tendons connect your
biceps to the main bone in
your arm.
NON-EXAMPLES




Tendons are not like
cartilage located in your
nose or ear
Tendons are not joints or
parts that join bones
together like in the hips and
shoulder
Thendons are not bones like
the femur or pelvis
Tendons are not muscles
like your biceps, tongue, or
calves
STUDENT SAMPLE
YOUR DEFINITION IN
YOUR OWN WORDS
DESCRIBE WHAT IT
LOOKS LIKE
WORD
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
VOCABULARY STRATEGY # 8
POSSIBLE PAIRED SENTENCES
Directions: There are ten words listed below. Choose two words and pair them together
based upon how well they could fit into a sentence together.
MUSCULAR SYSTEM
SKELETAL SYSTEM
SUPPORT
LOCOMOTION
PROTECTION
GROWTH
FUNCTION
VITAL
ORGANS
BODY SYSTEM
STUDENT SAMPLE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The skeletal system helps protect your organs.
Vital organs are body parts that work together to keep your body
alive.
Each body system has a different function and job to perform.
A person’s muscular system shows growth when the muscles get
increase in size.
The skeletal system and muscular system and two important systems
in the human body.
Support, locomotion, and protection are all functions of the skeletal
system.
Locomotion is a function of the muscular system.
The skeletal system offers support for the entire human body so that
your body can stand up straight and tall without falling.
Each organ in a person’s body has its own specific function.
The skeletal system and the muscular system work together to create
locomotion.
VOCABULARY STRATEGY # 9
RIVET
RIVET is a game similar to Hangman because there is a specific number of blank spaces
provided. With given clues, the students will determine which word belongs in the blank
spaces.
Muscular System
Skeletal System
Skeleton
Protection
Bones
Muscles
Support
Locomotion
Organs
Joints
Tendons
Ligaments
Cartilage
Hinge Joint
Ball and Socket Joint
Gliding Joint
Function
Growth
Vital
Mechanical Devices
Body System
1.
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Clues:
 These are parts of the body that are important to keeping
the body alive
 Examples include: the heart, brain, lungs
The word is ORGANS
2. _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Clues:
 To hold in position or to keep from falling, sinking, or slipping
 A function of the skeletal system
 Without this function of the skeletal system, our bodies
could not stand up tall
The word is SUPPORT
3. _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Clues:
 Part of the skeletal system or muscular system
 Part of the body that connects the muscle to the bones
The word is TENDON
4. _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Clues:
 Part of the skeletal system
 The location where two bones meet
The word is JOINTS
5. _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Clues:
 Very important
 A word that describes organs
 These types of organs must be working properly in order to
remain alive
The word is VITAL