An insect is an invertebrate animal that has antennae, six legs and a body divided into segments.

A life cycle is the way in which a living thing changes as it ages.

Larva is the life cycle stage that some animals go through before metamorphosis into their next form.

Inside a pupa, an insect changes from one form to another.

Metamorphosis is a major change from one form to another.

Insect life cycles

Science

Animal groups

Insects (non-statutory)

Mammal life cycles

Bird life cycles

Comparing the life cycles of mammals and birds

Amphibian life cycles

Comparing the life cycles of amphibians and insects

Endangered animals & life cycles (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

More about endangered animals (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Animal gestation periods

In this Reproduction and life cycles: animals unit, pupils learn to describe the life process of reproduction in some animals. In the Evolution and inheritance unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn that living things produce offspring of the same kind, but normally offspring vary and are not identical to their parents

In the New life unit, pupils learnt that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults. In this Reproduction and life cycles: animals unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to describe the differences in life cycles of different animal groups

This unit explores the life cycles of mammals, amphibians, insects, and birds, and the reproduction process in plants and animals. It focuses on recording data, presenting findings with conclusions, and evaluating scientific evidence to support or refute ideas in various presentation formats.

Reproduction and life cycles: animals

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Use of equipment that may require supervision for safety, e.g. scissors in KS1, needles, paint, knives, cooking.

Which stage does not appear in the insect life cycle?

Order the stages in the insect life cycle.

Insects drink milk form their mother when young

When insects are at the {{}} stage of their life cycle, they are able to reproduce.

Which diagram would be best for communicating the stages an insect goes through as it ages?

The big change in form that most insects go through inside an inactive pupa is called {{}}.

Insects are invertebrates. What does ‘invertebrate’ mean?

Which two of these animals are not insects?

Which of these is not part of an insect’s segmented body?

What is the name for this object that has a developing animal inside?

They live together with animals of the same type

Animals can reproduce. What does this mean?

Insect life cycles

Lesson outcome

Content guidance