My first year teaching Anatomy and Physiology, I had a $400 budget. Sad, huh? I spent every penny of that on a full-size model of a human skeleton! Why? Because I knew that students need models and diagrams to help them visualize concepts they can’t see. Plus, skeletons are big and little creepy. 😉

Anatomical Models

It’s hard to beat models for helping your A & P students understand the structure and function of body systems. If you’re trying to decide which models to purchase for your A & P class, here’s a list of the ones I would recommend, in the order in which I would purchase them:

1. A life-size torso with all major internal organs. If possible, spend extra to get one with removable organs. Sometimes the heart, brain, stomach, kidney, liver, and intestines will detach from the model. This is the biggest bang for your buck since it includes several body systems and students can see the size, shape, and relative location of the organs.
2. Skeleton (I bought the skeleton first because I inherited an old torso that I used until I could afford a better one.)
3. Life-size models of these organs (if they aren’t included in your torso): heart, brain, kidney, stomach, liver (with gallbladder, pancreas & duodenum)
4. Large models of the eye, ear, and teeth
5. Disarticulated skeleton. There was a “box of bones” in my classroom when I arrived and I had no idea what to do with it, at first. But, I soon fell in LOVE with those bones! I developed a bone identification and skeleton-building activity that my A & P kiddos really enjoyed. It’s in this resource if you want to take a look: Skeletal System Supplements
6. Finish off your model collection over time with models you like such as the skin, vertebral column, fetal development, the reproductive system, and maybe a complex joint such as the shoulder or knee.

Anatomical Charts

As I was collecting anatomical models over the years, I also started an anatomical chart collection. I recommend buying a sturdy portable stand with a few posters that you don’t have good models for, like maybe the endocrine, lymphatic, and immune systems.

Add to your collection over time until you have all the systems covered. Then, you can add extra posters that cover topics like cardiovascular disease, common knee injuries, the effects of obesity, etc.

Diagrams for Students

In addition to models and charts, I wanted students to have their own diagrams of the body systems. I spent hours searching for black line drawings for my students to color and label. I found some good ones on WebMD back then, but I can’t find them now.

When I didn’t have a good diagram, I asked students to draw, color, and label their own. This worked well for some students, but certainly not for everyone. So, I started making my own diagrams. I currently have human anatomy diagrams, with quizzes, in my Science Island store for these systems:

• Integumentary
• Skeletal
• Muscular 
• Nervous
• Cardiovascular
• Respiratory
• Digestive
• Urinary
• Reproductive

You can make these diagrams yourself if you have time. For my resources, I look for an accurate, clear image that’s available for commercial use. Then, I make modifications. For example, on my heart diagram, the right pulmonary veins were not included, so I added those. And, when I can’t find an image I like, I draw my own in Adobe Illustrator.

Once I like the image, I add labels, letters, numbers, etc. to create different formats. I like to have . . .

• A labeled one for studying
• A blank one for labeling and coloring
• One with letters and/or numbers for quizzing and review
• One with lines so students can fill in the blanks

I put all my diagrams in this discounted Anatomical Diagrams Bundle, too. Just click the image to take a look.

If you have any good resources for diagrams, please share them in the comments below.

Happy Teaching!
Carla