Insects and food security
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the importance of insects for food security and suggest how we can protect them.
Key learning points
- Pollinators are animals which transfer pollen from one flower to another, which enables plants to reproduce sexually.
- Many food crops are pollinated by animal pollinators, including fruits, vegetables and nuts.
- The majority of pollinators are insects, with bees being the largest group.
- Food security means having enough affordable and nutritious food in an area or country.
- Pollinating insects need to be protected from pesticides, climate change and habitat loss to ensure food security.
Keywords
Pollinators - Animals that carry pollen from one flower to another are called pollinators.
Food security - Food security is having access to enough affordable and nutritious food.
Insect - Insects are a group of animals with an exoskeleton, three body parts and six legs; they can act as pollinators.
Crops - Crops are plants that are grown on farms to feed humans or farm animals (for example wheat, vegetables and fruit).
Common misconception
There is not enough food in the world, and that bees are the only pollinators.
Emphasise that food distribution and nutrition is an issue in food security; also that there are many types of pollinator.
Teacher tip
The final task can be done in a number of ways, it could be a mini-podcast of news video instead of a written piece.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In this food chain what is the producer?
Q2.True or false? Wheat is an example of a producer.
Q3.Who do you agree with?
Q4.Where is pollen made?
Q5.Which of the following crops are important for feeding the human population?
Q6.What are animals that carry pollen from one flower to another are called?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Pollinators are animals which transfer from one flower to another to assist in plant reproduction.
Q2.Which of the following is an insect pollinator?
Q3.Who is correct?
Q4.Which of the following is not a reason that bee populations are decreasing?
Q5.Which food crops are insect pollinated?
Q6.Which of the following will help protect pollinators?
To help you plan your 9 science lesson on: Insects and food security, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 science lesson on: Insects and food security, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Reproduction in plants unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.