---
title: "Naming Major Bones"
description: "Identify major bones of the human skeleton by name (skull, spine/vertebrae, ribcage, pelvis, femur, humerus) and explain the skeleton’s three jobs: supporting the body’s shape, protecting organs, and "
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/naming-major-bones-mt_OMmiuv9ZLH
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/naming-major-bones-mt_OMmiuv9ZLH.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Naming Major Bones

Identify major bones of the human skeleton by name (skull, spine/vertebrae, ribcage, pelvis, femur, humerus) and explain the skeleton’s three jobs: supporting the body’s shape, protecting organs, and enabling movement with muscles

Subject: Science · Area: The Human Body · Ages 7 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/naming-major-bones-mt_OMmiuv9ZLH

## Ready when they can

- Name and locate at least six major bones or bone groups on a diagram or their own body
- Explain the three functions: support (holds us upright), protection (skull protects brain, ribs protect heart/lungs), movement (bones work with muscles)
- State that not all animals have internal skeletons — some have shells or exoskeletons

## Lesson: Naming Major Bones

Your skeleton is built from more than two hundred bones. Many of them have their own names, and you can find six of the biggest ones on your own body.

Feel the top of your head: that is your skull. Run your hand down your back to feel bumps from your spine, a stack of small bones called vertebrae. Your ribcage curves around your chest, and your pelvis is the wide bone at your hips.

*(drawing: Count the 6 big-name bones you just met: skull, spine, ribcage, pelvis, femur, humerus.)*

**Example.** Zara points to her upper arm and says, 'This is my humerus.' Then she pats her thigh and says, 'This is my femur, the longest bone in my body.' Naming bones helps her know exactly which part hurts if she ever gets hurt.

**Tip.** Your skeleton has three jobs. It supports you, like a frame holds up a tent, so you can stand tall. It protects you: your skull guards your brain, and your ribcage guards your heart and lungs. And it helps you move, because your muscles pull on your bones like ropes.

**Tip.** Not every animal has bones inside its body like you do. A crab or a snail has a hard shell or exoskeleton on the outside instead, doing a similar protecting job from the outside in.

**Recap.** Your skeleton's six big-name bones, like the skull, spine, ribcage, pelvis, femur, and humerus, work together to support, protect, and move you.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Bones & Muscles](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/bones-and-muscles-mt_SdIWVjzopp)

## Opens up

- [How Muscles Move Bones](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/how-muscles-move-bones-mt_6N-4TqCleR)