The musculoskeletal system is typically taught by having students look at a diagram of the human body labeled with the names of muscles. The students are supposed to memorize them, but this rarely works long-term. This is far from the best method to teach about the muscles, and the proof is that most adults barely know the names of the body’s major muscles. Who does know the names of muscles the best? Probably bodybuilders. They must know the muscles’ names, locations, and the appropriate training exercises. Through lots of hard work and practice, bodybuilders develop the “mind-muscle connection,” which is the ability to really “feel” the muscles working. You could argue that people who practice yoga and Pilates know their muscle groups very well. They need to know which stretches and movements work on which muscle groups.

This lesson introduces the names of the muscles by having the students “feel” the muscles they are using and associate the name of the muscle with that feeling. Afterward, they will use their muscles against each other in a game of Tug-of-War, portraying muscle action microscopically.

Materials: 

·      A diagram of the muscles in the body as a control (optional)

·      A solid tug-of-war rope, or at least a solid climbing rope

Minimum Number of Students Needed: If you skip the tug-of-war portion, you only need one student. If you include the tug-of-war part, it could be done with as few as two students. However, having more students will make the tug-of-war portion much more fun.

Age: Primarily lower elementary, but could be all ages