Animals, including humans: Life cycles and health
Exploring animal life cycles and survival by investigating how animals grow, change and meet their basic needs.
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Animals, including humans: Life cycles and health
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Identify stages in the life cycles of different animals, including humans.
- Describe the basic survival needs of animals.
- Explain how to take care of personal hygiene.
- Describe some positive effects of exercise.
- Identify foods in different food groups.
When working scientifically, pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Measure using simple equipment.
- Record results in a table.
- Use data to answer a simple question.
- Research using secondary sources.
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
Animals: Comparing animals
Get startedLessons
Lesson 1: The human life cycle
Lesson 2: Life cycles
Lesson 3: Growth
Lesson 4: Survival
Lesson 5: Exercise and hygiene
Lesson 6: Balanced diet
Key skills
Key knowledge
Equipment list
Equipment needed across all lessons in this unit.
This list does not include equipment which is usually readily available in the classroom (e.g pencils, A4 paper etc)
Full equipment list for the subject
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
-
Connecting cubes
×30 - Split pins ×30
- A selection of Sticky tack
-
Tape measures
×6 -
Volunteers from each year group for the children to measure height.
×1 -
Toothbrush and soap (to show the children)
-
Glitter or a UV pen (one for the teacher)
×1 - Cleaning wipes ×1
- Stopwatch / timer ×8
-
Shopping bag
×1 - A selection of foods from each food group (e.g, potatoes, pasta, bread, lentils, cooked meat, butter, grapes, tomatoes and cheese). ×1
Equipment list
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
-
Connecting cubes
×30 - Split pins ×30
- A selection of Sticky tack
-
Tape measures
×6 -
Volunteers from each year group for the children to measure height.
×1 -
Toothbrush and soap (to show the children)
-
Glitter or a UV pen (one for the teacher)
×1 - Cleaning wipes ×1
- Stopwatch / timer ×8
-
Shopping bag
×1 - A selection of foods from each food group (e.g, potatoes, pasta, bread, lentils, cooked meat, butter, grapes, tomatoes and cheese). ×1
Related content
Unit resources
Knowledge organiser – Science Y2: Animals, including humans: Life cycles and health
Aimed at pupils, a single page which gives key facts and definitions from the unit 'Life cycles and health'.
Vocabulary display – Science Y2: Animals including humans: Life cycles and health
A display version of the vocabulary from the unit 'Life cycles and health'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
English: Reading – comprehension.
Maths: Measurement.
Design and technology: Cooking and nutrition.
RSE: Healthy eating.
Physical education.
British values: Mutual respect.