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Lesson 5 of 5
Lesson 5 of 5
New
New
The basic needs of animals
I can describe what animals need to stay alive.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Animals, including humans need certain things in order to stay alive.
- To survive means to continue to stay alive.
- All animals need food and water to grow, remain healthy and stay alive.
- All animals need air so that they can breathe and stay alive.
Keywords
Animals - An animal is a living thing that moves and eats other animals or plants.
Alive - Living things are alive. They move, respire, sense, grow, reproduce, excrete waste material and need nutrients.
Survive - Survive means to continue to stay alive.
Basic needs - A living thing's basic needs must be met in order for them to stay alive.
Common misconception
Different animals need different things in order to stay alive.
Examples of different types of animals and how they need the same things to stay alive e.g. different foods they eat.
Ensure that pupils understand that humans are also animals and that our basic needs are the same. Looking at different types of animals and discussing how their basic needs are met will aid pupils' understanding.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a life cycle?
What is a life cycle?
A life cycle shows each year of an animal's life.
A life cycle shows where an animal lives.
Q2.True or false? Animals stay the same at every stage of their life cycle.
True or false? Animals stay the same at every stage of their life cycle.
Q3.Scientists look closely at animals to see how they grow and change over time. Which skill are they using?
Scientists look closely at animals to see how they grow and change over time. Which skill are they using?
researching
recording
Q4.Which of these things do humans need to stay alive?
Which of these things do humans need to stay alive?
computers
cars
Q5.Scientists record information about an animal's life cycle. What does record mean?
Scientists record information about an animal's life cycle. What does record mean?
Finding information from the internet.
Looking closely and noticing any changes.
Q6.Laura is observing caterpillars as they change and grow into butterflies. How could she record a butterfly's life cycle?
Laura is observing caterpillars as they change and grow into butterflies. How could she record a butterfly's life cycle?
Using the internet to find out about different sorts of butterflies.
Looking in non-fiction books to find out about caterpillars.
Looking closely at the caterpillars as they grow and change.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Animals need food and water to survive. What does survive mean?
Animals need food and water to survive. What does survive mean?
Survive means to grow.
Survive means to have offspring.
Q2.Animals need food and drink to...
Animals need food and drink to...
wash
Q3.What do animals need to stay alive?
What do animals need to stay alive?
water, air, offspring
air, water, friends
Q4.All animals have basic needs. What are basic needs?
All animals have basic needs. What are basic needs?
Basic needs are the things an animal needs to sleep well.
Basic needs are the things an animal needs to stay clean.
Q5.True or false? Fish live underwater so they do not need air.
True or false? Fish live underwater so they do not need air.
False. Fish have to come up for air.
True. Fish do not breathe air.
Q6.Sofia has a new puppy. What does the puppy need to stay alive?
Sofia has a new puppy. What does the puppy need to stay alive?
dog food, water, cuddles
water, toys, cuddles