Y5/6 (B): Living things: Life cycles and reproduction
Exploring the life cycles of plants and animals and the life process of reproduction.
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Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Describe the life cycle of a plant, including the reproductive stage.
- Describe the life cycle of a mammal.
- Describe the life cycle of a bird and compare it with that of a mammal.
- Describe the life cycle of an amphibian.
- Describe the life cycle of an insect and compare it with that of an amphibian.
- Describe asexual reproduction in plants.
When working scientifically, pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Observe and compare equivalent parts in different flowers.
- Research the life cycles of different mammals.
- Pose questions to compare the life cycles of different birds.
- Suggest how one temperature may affect egg hatching.
- Use data to describe a relationship and make predictions.
- Represent root growth over time on a line graph.
Please note that Kapow Primary Science lessons are designed to be 1 hour and 30 minutes long to reflect the requirements of a core subject.
Suggested prior learning
Lessons
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 1: Life cycles and reproduction in plants
Knowledge:
- To describe the life cycle of a plant, including the reproductive stage.
Working scientifically:
- To observe and compare equivalent parts in different flowers.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 2: Life cycle of a mammal
Knowledge:
- To describe the life cycle of a mammal.
Working scientifically:
- To research the life cycles of different mammals.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 3: Life cycle of a bird
Knowledge:
- To describe the life cycle of a bird and compare it with that of a mammal.
Working scientifically:
- To pose questions to compare the life cycles of different birds.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 4: Life cycle of an amphibian
Knowledge:
- To describe the life cycle of an amphibian.
Working scientifically:
- To suggest how temperature may affect egg hatching.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 5: Life cycle of an insect
Knowledge:
- To describe the life cycle of an insect and compare it with that of an amphibian.
Working scientifically:
- To use data to describe a relationship and make predictions.
Y5/6 (B): Lesson 6: Asexual reproduction in plants
Knowledge:
- To describe asexual reproduction in plants.
Working scientifically:
- To represent root growth over time on a line graph.
Key skills
Related content
Unit resources

Knowledge organiser – Science Y5/6 (B): Living things: Life cycles and reproduction
Aimed at pupils, multiple pages providing key facts and definitions from the mixed-age unit ‘Life cycles and reproduction’.

Vocabulary display – Science Y5/6 (B): Living things: Life cycles and reproduction
A display version of the vocabulary from the mixed-age unit 'Life cycles and reproduction'.

Posters – Science Y5/6 (B): Living things: Life cycles and reproduction
A collection of six posters showing the life cycle of an amphibian, bird, insect, mammal and plant.
Cross-curricular opportunities
English: Reading – comprehension.
Maths: Measurement.
British values: Mutual respect.