Animal Growth - Lesson Plan

The lesson plan provided by The Primary Science Advisory Service Ltd in 2020 is designed for Year 2 students to explore the concept of animal growth and understand the life cycles of various species, including humans. Students will engage in a range of science skills such as observing over time, noticing patterns, grouping and classifying, comparative testing, and researching using secondary resources. The National Curriculum objectives are clearly outlined, with the aim for students to recognize that all animals, humans included, have offspring which grow into adults. This lesson builds on previous learning from Year 1, where students identified common animals, and prepares them for future topics in Years 3 to 6, which delve into human anatomy, classification of living things, and the concept of evolution and inheritance.

During the lesson, students will utilize various resources such as life cycle card sets and learning pads to conduct activities that include ordering human life cycle stages and researching animal gestation periods. They will also examine the life cycle of an insect, making posters to illustrate their findings. Key vocabulary such as 'Life Cycle', 'Gestation', 'Adult', and 'Adolescent' will be introduced, and students will learn about influential scientists in the field. Health and safety considerations are noted, especially when using scissors and discussing sensitive topics like death. The lesson aims to correct common misconceptions, for example, not all baby animals are helpless, and growing to adulthood can vary significantly in duration among different species. The lesson concludes with a plenary session where students will reflect on their learning and assess their understanding of the life cycle stages.