Animals Including Humans — Year 1 Lesson Plan
National Curriculum: Science — Animals including humans: identify and name common animals, Year 1
Overview
Pupils learn to identify and name common animals including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, and learn to classify them. They explore the basic needs of animals for survival and identify and name the main body parts of humans and other animals.
Learning Objectives
- Identify and name common animals in each of the five vertebrate groups.
- Classify animals as carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores.
- Identify and name the main external body parts of humans.
- Describe the basic needs of animals for survival: food, water, air, shelter.
Key Vocabulary
Suggested Lesson Structure
Show pictures of ten animals. Pupils sort into two groups in any way they choose. Share groupings — discuss the different criteria used. Introduce scientific classification.
Introduce the five vertebrate groups with key features and examples. Use a sorting diagram: does it have feathers? → Bird; does it have scales and live in water? → Fish, etc. Introduce carnivore, herbivore, omnivore with examples. Discuss: are humans omnivores?
Pupils sort animal picture cards into the five vertebrate groups. Then classify a set of animals as carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore using clue cards (teeth shape, diet information).
Pupils complete a fact file for one animal of their choice: group, diet type, body covering, special features, and what it needs to survive.
Mystery animal: teacher gives clues one at a time (warm-blooded, has hair, gives birth to live young, feeds young on milk). Pupils guess and name the group. Could it be a human?
Common Misconceptions
- Pupils sometimes classify all sea creatures as fish — whales and dolphins are mammals; sharks are fish.
- Thinking humans are not animals — establish clearly that humans are mammals and therefore animals.
Prior Knowledge
Pupils should already be able to:
- Ability to name common animals from EYFS.
- Awareness that living things need food and water.
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