Animals including humans: Digestion and food
Exploring the digestive system by using models to understand the function of key organs and how food is processed in the body.
New statutory RSHE guidance is here. We’re creating our brand new RSE & PSHE scheme ready for September 2026. Learn more
- Subjects >
- Science >
- Key stage 2 >
- Year 4 >
-
Animals including humans: Digestion and food
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Label key organs found in the digestive system and describe each of their functions.
- Describe the functions of the four different types of adult human teeth using key vocabulary.
- Know that good dental care involves brushing their teeth twice a day with toothpaste and a soft toothbrush.
- Produce a food chain that begins with a plant and has arrows that move up the food chain.
- Define a producer, predator and prey and identify examples in food chains.
- Describe digestion, teeth and diets when talking about the observed poo clues.
- Write a letter that uses a range of scientific vocabulary from the unit.
When working scientifically, pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Evaluate a strength or weakness of the digestive system model.
- Describe an example of evidence that can be used to study teeth.
- Evaluate a method by considering its limitations.
- Recall that scientific research needs repeated results before being used in society.
- Identify trends in predators and prey.
- Draw a results table that has space for observations about different poo samples.
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: Movement and nutrition
Get startedLessons
Lesson 1: The human digestive system
Knowledge
- To describe the function of the human digestive system.
Working scientifically
- To evaluate a model.
Lesson 2: Human teeth
Lesson 3: Investigating dental hygiene
Lesson 4: Teeth of carnivores, herbivores and omnivores
Lesson 5: Producers, predators and prey in food chains
Lesson 6: Poo clues
Key skills
Key knowledge
Related content
Unit resources
Knowledge organiser – Science Y4: Animals, including humans: Digestion and food
Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the unit ‘Digestion and food’.
Vocabulary display – Science Y4: Animals, including humans: Digestion and food
A display version of the vocabulary from the unit ‘Digestion and food'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
English: Spoken language; Writing – composition.
Mathematics: Number – addition and subtraction; Number – number and place value; Measurement; Statistics.
British values: The rule of law; Mutual respect; Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Geography: Place knowledge; Human and physical geography.
RSE: Health and prevention.