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

A life cycle shows the way in which a living thing changes as it grows.

If something changes it does not stay the same.

To observe is to look very closely and use other senses too.

To record information is to keep it so that it can be passed on to others. This can be through notes, photos and drawings.

Changes in animal life cycles

Science

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

In the Naming and grouping animals unit, pupils learnt to identify and name a variety of common animals. In this New life unit. pupils will build on this knowledge to learn that animals have basic needs for survival (water, food and air)

New life

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

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).

Which of these shows how an animal grows and changes from birth?

Which of these could help a scientist to observe the life cycle of an animal?

As an animal moves through its life cycle, it will grow and change. What does change mean?

Which of these could help a scientist to record the life cycle of an animal?

The adult and growing offspring are in the wrong place.

The offspring at birth label is with the wrong photo.

Use your observation skills to spot the mistake in this life cycle of a goat.

It is bigger but not fully grown. It has short ears.

It is fully grown, has long ears and white fur.

Use your observation skills to match each stage of this animal's life cycle to the correct description.

All animals grow and change from when they are born to when they become ...

The journey from when it is born until when it becomes an adult.

When scientists look closely to see how an animal grows and changes, what skill are they using?

Put these different stages of a frog's life cycle in order starting with the youngest.

the chick is smaller than the penguin. The chick has grey, fluffy feathers.

the penguin is bigger than the chick. The penguin has grey, fluffy feathers.

the chick is smaller than the penguin. The chick has black and white feathers.

When we observe this penguin and its chick we notice that ...

Baby butterflies are very shy and hard to spot.

The offspring of a butterfly is a caterpillar.

Aisha spots some butterflies on a flower and realises that she has never seen a baby butterfly. Why do you think that is?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Risk assessment required - equipment

Exploration of objects

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Changes in animal life cycles

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.