Zoology - Lesson Plan

The zoology lesson plan, tailored for Year One Biology under the Animals including Humans topic, is an engaging exploration of the animal kingdom. It is designed to develop key scientific skills such as observing over time, noticing patterns, grouping and classifying, and researching using secondary resources, as outlined in the KS1 science skills framework. Throughout the lesson, students will delve into the National Curriculum knowledge objectives, which include identifying and naming common animals across various classes such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, as well as describing and comparing their structures. The lesson builds on previous learning from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), where pupils showed care for living things and identified common animals like dogs and cats. It also paves the way for future learning in subsequent years, where pupils will explore more complex concepts such as animal life cycles, habitats, and nutrition.

Activities are designed to correct common misconceptions, such as the fact that dolphins and whales are born with hair, or that not all mammals give birth to live young, with the platypus and echidna laying eggs. Students will engage in a variety of tasks, including creating a graph of their pets, classifying animals using provided cards, and exploring local wildlife. They will also learn interesting facts, such as the existence of over 1.2 million known animal species and the role of zoologists. The lesson encourages cross-curricular links with subjects like geography, maths, and English, and is complemented by a range of equipment including animal cards and British wildlife cards. The lesson concludes with a plenary session where students assess their understanding of animal types, examples, and features, and apply this knowledge to classify an animal with given characteristics.