An animal is a living thing which moves and eats other animals or plants.

A plant is a living thing that often has roots, stem and leaves.

Something that is living is alive. It can grow, reproduce, move, feed and get rid of waste material.

Animals eat plants or other animals. The way this happens is shown in a food chain.

Introduction to food chains

Science

How animals get food

Roles within food chains

Comparing food chains

In this Introduction to food chains unit, pupils learnt to use the idea of a simple food chain. In the More about food chains unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn to construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey

In the naming and grouping animals and Identifying plants and their basic parts units, pupils learnt to identify and name a variety of common plants and animals. In this Introduction to food chains unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to identify and name plants and animals as sources of food in a food chain

This unit covers how animals obtain food from plants and other animals using simple food chains. It includes identifying and naming different food sources, asking questions, classifying, and gathering and recording data to answer questions about animal diets and food chains.

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.

Activity that requires collection of items from an area (room, building).

food from other animals like fish and squid

food from both plants and animals like seaweed and squid

Bluefin tuna are carnivores so they eat ...

If an animal does not get enough food it will eventually ...

In this food chain the rabbit is food for the ...

Put this food chain in the correct order.

Aisha puts these animals in a food chain but she has made a mistake. Put this food chain in the correct order.

Which of these would a scientist use to research what animals eat?

Which of these animals hunts to get its food?

Which of these animals grazes to get its food?

Has great senses of hearing and smell to hunt for its food.

Often looked after by people who give it food.

Introduction to food chains

Lesson outcome

Content guidance