What happens to us as we get older? - Teacher's Notes

As part of an engaging lesson on human development and ageing, pupils are prompted to explore the changes that occur throughout a person's life. The lesson begins with an interactive element where pupils use an application to visualize how they might appear in 20 and 50 years' time. This visual exercise is designed to pique their interest and provide a personal connection to the topic of ageing.

Following this, the class is directed to watch a resource from BBC Bitesize that discusses human changes over a lifetime. After absorbing the information, students are tasked with articulating their understanding of growing old, ensuring they include the six life stages in their explanations. The lesson continues with pupils setting up their own investigations to delve deeper into the effects of ageing on both the body and the mind. Working in pairs, students are encouraged to exercise their independence and creativity to formulate ideas that will enhance their comprehension of the ageing process. To support their investigative approach, they are expected to use a 'thinking metacognitively' chart, which aids in structuring their thoughts and findings on the biological and psychological aspects of growing older.