Not every classroom is fortunate enough to have a life-size skeleton in it. To help students visualize the skeleton, pass out diagrams of a skeleton. Find these print diagrams from free online sources such as education.com/worksheets/fifth-grade/life-science/. Choose worksheets that already have the bones labeled as reference material for kids trying to memorize the bones, or pass out blank diagrams. Using the blank diagrams, instruct students to identify the major bones by writing the bone's name next to them. These fill-in diagrams can function as in-class assignments, homework or tests.
Make learning the bones of the body fun for your fifth grade class by having them put together skeleton puzzles. Create these puzzles yourself or have the students make them. From a free online source, print out copies of individual bones such as the skull and femur and groups of bones such as the ribs or hands. Cut the bones out and shuffle the pieces. You can also enlarge a skeleton diagram and cut it apart. Give the students a piece of construction paper, glue and the puzzle pieces. Have them assemble and label the skeleton.
Help kids memorize bones by teaching them a song that incorporate the names of bones or facts about the skeleton systems such as "The Bones Song" by Robin Wallings or Miley Cyrus's "Bones Dance" from the TV show "Hannah Montana." Or break the class into groups of four or five and have them create their own song or rap about bones. Once each group finishes developing and perfecting their song, have them perform it in front of the class.
Use word puzzles to familiarize kids with the names and spelling of bone names. Create a cross word puzzles using the location of the bone as the clue and the bone name for the answer. For example, the clue for one-down might read, "bones of the fingers," and the answer would be phalanges. Or make up an word search using the names of bones. Students can also create word puzzles on their own them exchange them with other students.