The environment is the surroundings of a living thing, including other plants or animals and the conditions they live in.

Seasons are periods of similar weather. In the UK there are four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter).

When animals migrate, they move from one environment to another in different seasons.

To hibernate, an animal goes into a deep sleep; usually in winter when food is scarce.

Environments and seasonal changes

Science

Introducing observable characteristics

Grouping animals

Grouping plants

Identifying living things (non-statutory)

Classification keys

Classification keys to identify animals

Classification keys to identify plants

Extreme weather: flooding (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Extreme weather: heatwaves and wild fires (non-statutory CC & Sustainability)

Changing environments: land development and deforestation

Changing environments: waste creation and pollution

Animals in danger

Protecting animals in decline (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Changing environments: plants in danger

Changing environments: nature reserves

Changing environments: reforestation and recycling

Environmental changes in the news (non-statutory)

How scientists communicate with the public (non-statutory)

In this Living things and the environment unit, pupils learn to explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name living things. In the Why we group and classify living things unit, they will build on this knowledge to give reasons why we classify plants and animals based on specific characteristics

In the Living things and where they live unit, pupils learnt that things can be grouped into: alive, dead and never alive. In this Living things in the environment unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to recognsie that living things can be grouped in a wider variety of ways

This unit focuses on grouping living things and using classification keys to identify and name them in various environments. It explores how environmental changes can pose dangers to organisms. Emphasis is on asking questions, collecting data, and using evidence to support conclusions.

Living things and the environment

The surroundings that an animal or plant lives in is called an {{}}.

Which of these do living things need, or require, for life and growth?

True or false? Environments can change naturally as the seasons change.

Deciduous trees are covered in green leaves.

The fruit on some trees start to produce seeds which are dispersed.

Many plants stop growing in the colder weather. Some plants may die.

Match the season with some of the changes you might observe throughout the year.

migrate to warmer environments to find food

hibernate as there is not enough food in their environment in winter.

grow a thicker coat in winter to protect them from the cold

burrow under the ground as the ponds freeze

Match the living thing to what it needs to do to survive as the seasons change.

Starting with spring, put the seasons in the correct order.

Match the months of the year to the seasons in the UK.

Which of these things are made by nature?

an animal goes into a deep sleep for a long period of time

an animal sleeps all day and becomes active during the night

an animal is active during the day but sleeps all night

What does it mean when an animal hibernates?

Starter Quiz