Give Me A Hand, I'm "Thumb-body" Special

Ranada L. Johnson              Horace Mann Elementary
                               8050 S. Chappel
                               Chicago IL 60617
                               (312) 535-6640

Objectives:

     This lesson is designed for students grades 4-8.  The students will be able 
to:  label the bones in the hand; create a model of the hand; compile a set of 
fingerprints; and realize the importance of the thumb. 

Materials Needed:

     Note book paper
     Index cards (1 for each student)
     Crayons
     Flour
     Water
     Pencil
     Scotch tape
     Masking tape
     Scissors
     Blank paper
     Wax paper

Strategy:

    Activity number 1
     
     The students will begin by discussing the most used part of the body, the 
hands.  The students will make a short list of activities that they can do with 
their hands.  Then they will make a list of activities that can be done without 
the use of the hands.  All answers will be discussed. 

     Activity number 2

     The teacher will have the students toss a ball around the classroom using 
their hands.  The teacher will ask the students what they just did.  Then they 
will write down how they threw the ball.  The class will discuss the needed hand 
movements.  Then the students will pass a small ball by using any part of the 
body other than the hands. 

     Activity number 3

     The students will place their fingers together at the second knuckles with 
the pinkies up and touching.  They will try to move them without sliding them 
sideways.  The students will try this with each finger to determine which 
fingers are immobile. 

     Activity number 4

     The students will tape down their thumbs and try to complete a number of 
exercises, such as writing, catching a ball, buttoning clothes, etc.

     Activity number 5

     The students will use a mixture of flour, salt, and water to create dough.
They will flatten it out and press their hand into it to create a handprint.  A 
partner will use a plastic knife to cut the excess dough from between the 
fingers.  The students will then place the bone structure cut out in the 
appropriate parts of the hand.  The dough will be left to dry for several days. 

     Activity number 6

     The students will trace their hand on a blank sheet of paper.  They will 
make fingerprints by using a pencil to make graphite shavings.   Then they will 
rub their finger across the graphite.  The partner will place a one inch piece 
of clear tape across the darkened part of the finger.  This piece of tape will 
be applied to the matching finger on the traced hand.  This is continued until 
all fingers are done. 

Performance Assessment:

     Students will be assessed on participation and following directions.  They 
will also be assessed on identifying and labeling the bones in the hand. 

Conclusion:

     At the conclusion of this lesson the students will be able to identify the 
anatomy of the hand including the fingerprints.  They will also know the 
importance of the hand and its many uses.