Welcome to Lesson Nine of Science Saturday as we study the Nervous System with Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology and The Homeschool Scientist.
This week, I sat scratching my head and considering ways I could make the nervous system fun. I imagined creating messenger system within our living room where we passed index cards along string suspended from the walls and ceiling. When I realized what a spider web (and humongous mess) that would become, I quickly shifted to a different hands-on project idea.
The Nervous System Messenger Game
To create this lesson, you will need:
- Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology Textbook
- First Human Body Encyclopedia
- Nervous System Messenger Game printables (below)
- Scissors
- String
- Tape
- Large Paper
- Marker
We started in the textbook for Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology but also looked through the First Human Body Encyclopedia because I want to children to learn to check multiple sources before accepting something as fact.
Next, we traced Ruble’s body shape on large paper and cut string and tape to represent the nervous system for Nervous Nellie.
Once we had Nellie’s outline, it was time to build the nervous system. The children placed the brain and one long string for the spinal cord. We taped shorter strings with one end attached to the spinal cord and the other flowing outward through the body.
With tape on the back of the organs and body parts, the children then completed our flat model of the body and we were ready to play the Messenger game.
Just a note to say that I never claimed to be a digital artist so don’t make fun of the kidneys I made… even though they are quite sad-looking. Oh, and please forgive that stomach. I worked with what I could find available for free.
How to play the Nervous System Messenger Game
The purpose of the game is to trace the message from where it starts to the brain and out to the organ or part where the task needs to be completed.
I allowed each child to take turns picking a card and they had to think about what the message meant and where the starting place would be on our body. They demonstrated the path the message would take through the nervous system by passing the card over the paper model all the way to the brain. Then, they reversed the motion to simulate having the brain pass the message back to where it needed to go.
I have to admit that I am pretty proud of myself for actually coming up with an original – I think – idea and not depending on Pinterest for help. Might not ever happen again.
Nervous Nellie is now taped to the wall and waiting for next week’s lesson.
Free printables for you ~
Additional Nervous System Lesson Resources
- Nervous System Tutorials and Quizzes
- Nervous System Notebooking Pages at Cynce’s Place
- The Nervous System lesson at Spell Outloud
- Nervous System at YouTube
This a great…perfect for my hands-on/visual kids. Pinning to use the next time we study the human body. Thank you so much! 😉
I am so glad you think you can use them, Susan. We had a blast with Nellie. They are still talking about it.
Love the game! How fun!!
Ohhh my! I LOVE it! What an ingenious idea!!! Passing on to my mom (who still has two youngers at home) and saving the idea for myself to use with my kiddos! =) By the way, my Mum used (and still uses) Apologia science curriculum with us kids… we all love it! (And in my opinion MUCH better than A Beka, lol!) Can’t wait to use it with my children!!!
WOWZA you have an amazing brain Tabitha (is that right). Mine would have never come up with anything like that. LOL It looks like something that would help ME learn about the nervous system. LOL
This is an awesome idea. I wish I could be so creative. Kudos to you. I will use this with my grandson, he will love it.
Thanck you very much. Very interesting and cognitive game. I’m going to use it with my little students.
Hello from Ukraine)))
I am about to use this with my pupils at an SEN school. Love the idea.
I love your idea and would love to use it will my children but the link for the printable isn’t working.
I LOVE this idea but your printable’s are not working. can you please have a look into it? i’d love to do this activity!
i would really like to download your game but when i try it takes me to a weird site. Can you help me?
Hi Penny,
I’m attempting to download your printable game, but when I click on your link it just takes me to a site of advertisements. I’m wondering if you have the specific printable game pieces you used.
Thanks so much,
Marie
I am trying to download the Nervous System Messenger Game but it takes me to a weird website. Is there any way to can send me this game via email?
Barb
Same here. Anyway you could send me the download for the game at trelene@outlook.com? My students and I sure would appreciate it. 🙂
I am trying to download the Nervous System Messenger Game but it takes me to a weird website. Is there any way to can send me this game via email?
Thanks, Barbera
I am trying to download the Nervous System Messenger Game but it takes me to a weird website. Is there any way to can send me this game via email?
Also trying to download but going to the weird site. Please can you email it to me.
Did you ever get a reply back?
Could you send the link for the nervous system printables? It is not working for me from the website.
Hi! I am also trying to download your links for the messenger game, but the download link goes to an invalid site 🙁 anyway you could fix it? or send a new link? or describe the clues you used? thanks
Hello!! I tried clicking on the Download button and it isn’t working. Is there somewhere where your activity is still available for download??
Thank you !!
We would love to do this game please could you email it to me.
Thank you,