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Why do our skeletons have so many bones?

From Mystery Doug

Why do our skeletons have so many bones?
4 minK1st2nd3rd4th5thScienceHealth
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Summary

Mystery Doug takes on a real kid's question -- "Why do our skeletons have so many bones?" -- and follows the clues. About 206 bones, many of them small, let you bend and move in lots of directions -- and babies start with even more that fuse together. A quick five-minute watch to spark curiosity and kick off a conversation.

Viewer safety

All ages
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Teaching resources

Discussion questions

Discussion

Doug investigates a question kids really asked: "Why do our skeletons have so many bones?"

  1. What was Doug's answer to today's question, in your own words?
  2. What surprised you most about skeleton, or what did you already know?
  3. What's one thing this makes you want to find out more about?

Quick work-a-long

Words to know: skeleton, bone, joint.

Try it: Explain the answer to "Why do our skeletons have so many bones?" to someone at home using these three words, then write down one new question it made you wonder.