Learning objectives
Knowledge
- To describe the theory of evolution.
Working scientifically
- To consider evidence used to inform theories.
Success criteria
Knowledge
- I can recall what evolution is.
- I
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National curriculum
Science
Evolution and inheritance
Pupils
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Cross-curricular links
English
Spoken language
Pupils should
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Recap and recall
Display the Presentation: 3, 2, 1 and ask the class to write their answers on whiteboards or in their books.
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Extended-mode explainer videos
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Extended-mode explainer video: For Mac
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Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing extra support
Should use the scaffolded Activity: Evolution of the mammoth: support version to help them summarise the evolution of the mammoth; could be pre-taught the giraffe Attention grabber activity to help them over learn the concept before the main task; could refer to the finch evolution example on the Knowledge organiser for support during the Activity: Evolution of the mammoth.
Pupils working at greater depth
Should use the Activity: Evolution of the mammoth: extension that provides less guidance and encourages them to summarise the process in their own words; could begin to independently consider what environmental changes would encourage mammoths to evolve different characteristics from those shown in the Presentation: Evolution; could choose an extension activity relating to survival of the fittest and evolution from the Resource: Stretch and challenge: Evolution and inheritance.
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Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding indicated by: recalling what evolution is; identifying differences
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Knowledge outcomes
- I can recall that evolution is a gradual change of living things from their ancestors over time.
- I can identify differences between a living thing and its ancestor, such as changes in body size, shape or furriness.
- I can describe key steps in the evolution of a species, including variation, struggle for existence, survival of the fittest, inheritance of adaptations and a gradual change.
- I can describe that fossils and studying genes are used as evidence of evolution.
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Vocabulary definitions
-
ancestor
A relative of a living thing that lived a long time ago.
-
evolution
The process where different living things have gradually changed from earlier forms.
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Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 7th November, 2025
Assessment – Science Y6: Evolution and inheritance
Assessment quiz and Knowledge and skills catcher for use at the end of the unit...
Lesson 6: Evidence for evolution
Exploring the evidence used by different scientists studying evolution and considering the degree of trust.
Lesson 4: Modelling natural selection
Modelling natural selection of the Galapagos finches' beaks to determine how beak shape affects picking...
Lesson 2: Inheritance
Looking at patterns of inheritance in different species and their offspring.
