The Human Life Cycle - Lesson Plan

This lesson plan from The Primary Science Advisory Service Ltd is designed to guide students through the fascinating journey of the human life cycle. The lesson places an emphasis on the development of key scientific skills such as pattern seeking, researching using secondary resources, and observing over time. Students will delve into the National Curriculum's objectives, aiming to describe the changes humans undergo as they age, and to articulate specific changes from birth to old age. Prior learning from early years through to Year 3 has laid the foundation for this lesson, with students already familiar with basic body parts, growth, life cycles, and the function of skeletons and muscles. This lesson extends their understanding by comparing human life stages to those of other animals and exploring the concept of puberty in greater depth.

During the lesson, students will engage in a variety of activities, including creating Human Life Stage Cards to consolidate their understanding of developmental stages and characteristics. They will also investigate puberty through the use of Venn diagrams and Puberty Cards, and examine how bones change with age by conducting a practical experiment that models the weakening of bones. This hands-on approach is designed to illustrate the effects of conditions like osteoporosis. Additionally, the lesson includes cross-curricular links with ICT, Maths, and RE, encouraging a holistic approach to learning. Health and safety considerations are highlighted to ensure a secure learning environment. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to list and describe the characteristics of each human life stage, understand the hormonal changes that trigger puberty, and have an increased awareness of bone health and associated diseases.