Lesson 1: Growing old

Before starting this unit, check that the children can recall the following key facts from the unit Science, Year 5, Life cycles and reproduction:

• The life cycle of a mammal includes mating, gestation, birth, newborn, infancy, juvenile, adolescent and adult stages.

• Infancy is the stage following newborn, often characterised by rapid growth and dependence on parents for survival.

• Adolescence is when a young organism is in the process of developing into an adult and experiences physical and sometimes behavioural changes.

• Adults are fully developed and mature organisms capable of reproduction.

• Reproduction is the life process where new organisms are produced.

• Sexual reproduction in mammals produces offspring with the characteristics of both parents.

Use the Activity: Human timeline mind map (one each) if required.