Hello Great Minds!
I’m so excited to share with you my first creation for Ellsion. I’m apart of their blogger network and get to share their awesome products with you all on a regular basis!
I used Ellison’s skeletal and organs die cut sets to create what I call a Skeletal System Model with Peek-A-Boo Organs! I would categorize this as an upper elementary activity. The level of difficulty can decrease by making the suggested substitutions included in this post. My 4th graders are finishing up a human body unit that requires several finished products to be put on display during our Celebration of Learning to close out the year. I was so excited when I saw Ellison offered these perfect cut outs! Be sure and click the links to find the exact die cuts I used!
Here are the materials I used to make this project. You will need everything listed below. Something’s can be substituted out as you see fit. In the parenthesis you will find recommendations for this. Items with a * next to it are optional.
- Ellison AllStar SuperStar Machine
- Ellison AllStar Die Cut Skeleton 1-3
- Ellison AllStar Die Cut Organs 1-3
- Multicolored Construction Paper
- Scissors
- Glue Stick
- *Laminator + laminating sheets
- *Brads (12-15) (can be substituted for glue or tape, etc.)
I like to begin by die cutting all the pieces needed for this project. To save time I use two sheets of construction paper during cutouts. I also cut my construction paper into smaller pieces so that I can use different color sheet on one die cut. Again I double the paper so that two cut outs are released instead of one. It’s always good to have extra incase something tears. When making the skeleton you need double the parts for the legs, arms, hands and feet. You will also need two skulls, two ribs and two pelvis bones. The second set of bones will be the flap that lifts up to show your skeletons organs. Keep reading to find out how I use all the extra pieces for a fun follow-up game. Laminate your cut outs for extra support. Be advised that the cut out will include a small hole for the brads. If lamented the whole will be closed. Have a sharp-pointed object available to pierce through the whole or slightly fold a line through the whole and make a small snip with scissors. This will make it easier to push your brad through at assembly.
Once all pieces are cut begin to assemble your model. Lay out all the skeletal pieces in their proper position. This insures you are not missing any pieces. Once you have everything organized start at the feet and attaché each bone correctly using brads. The pre-cut holes are perfect no need to poke any new ones. To make this part more enjoyable go ahead and begin singing the bones song! “The foot bone’s connected to the…” LOL! Be sure and leave the skull last to be assembled.
At this point you should have a fully assembled skeleton with the exception of the skull. Now use your glues stick to secure all organs into place. You may decide to glue your lungs over the heart or make your lungs a flap like I did, so that the heart can be seen completely by simply lifting the lungs. Don’t forget to trim down the brain using scissors. You may find the cut out brain is a bit larger than our skeleton’s head. So cutting around it makes fit the skull better. Once all organs are secure and dry begin to brad together the second pelvis and rib cage. Connect these two pieces with brads at the top of the pelvis and bottom of the spine. This is where you will put it all together by using a brad. Place your brad through one skull, then the second ribs set that is only connected to a pelvis. Then using that same brad put it though the lungs, then second skull with brain and then the spine of the full skeleton. You should now have 3 layers beginning with the top rib cage, the lungs (unless you glued them down), and body of skeleton with organs attached. You should have a solid skeleton with a flip-up torso and flip down skull. Check out my video below to get a better idea!
Left overs….
Use the left over skeleton and organ pieces to create a center for your students. How about “Build a Body Center”? Place enough pieces to make a whole skeleton and see if they can put the pieces together in 3 minutes or less. Students could compete with each other or against a timer. What about “Name That Organ”? Put all the organs in a bag with a stack of labels or cards that have the name of the organ on it. Students would need to see if they could match each organ with its proper name. Take it a step further and have students match its function too! Enjoy!
Well this was fun and thanks for reading! I hope you and your kiddos enjoy building your models! Remember to click here to shop for your own cut outs to use. See you next time!
