Activity: Signs of the seasons phenology calendar

Year 6: Living things and their habitats

• describe how living things are classified into broad groups according to common observable characteristics and based on similarities and differences, including microorganisms, plants and animals
• give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics

Biology: Interactions and interdependencies

Relationships in an ecosystem

• the interdependence of organisms in an ecosystem, including food webs and insect pollinated crops

Biology: Structure and function of living organisms

Reproduction

• reproduction in plants, including flower structure, wind and insect pollination, fertilisation, seed and fruit formation and dispersal, including quantitative investigation of some dispersal mechanisms

Working Scientifically Skills

Scientific attitudes

• pay attention to objectivity and concern for accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility
• evaluate risks

Experimental skills and investigations

• ask questions and develop a line of enquiry based on observations of the real world, alongside prior knowledge and experience
• make predictions using scientific knowledge and understanding
• use appropriate techniques, apparatus, and materials during fieldwork and laboratory work, paying attention to health and safety
• make and record observations and measurements using a range of methods for different investigations; and evaluate the reliability of methods and suggest possible improvements
• apply sampling techniques

Analysis and evaluation

• present observations and data using appropriate methods, including tables and graphs
• interpret observations and data, including identifying patterns and using observations, measurements and data to draw conclusions
• present reasoned explanations, including explaining data in relation to predictions and hypotheses
• identify further questions arising from their results

Planet Earth

Biodiversity and Interdependence

I understand how animal and plant species depend on each other and how living things are adapted for survival. I can predict the impact of population growth and natural hazards on biodiversity. SCN 4-01a

• Describes how plants and animals depend on each other for food, shelter and pollination, using scientific vocabulary such as ‘population’, ‘community’ and ‘species’.

Biological Systems

Inheritance

I understand how animal and plant species depend on each other and how living things are adapted for survival. I can predict the impact of population growth and natural hazards on biodiversity. SCN 4-01a

• Describes how plants and animals depend on each other for food, shelter and pollination, using scientific vocabulary such as ‘population’, ‘community’ and ‘species’

Third Level Scientific Skills

Inquiry and Investigative Skills:

• Demonstrates initiative and increasing independence in identifying a number of key questions and in formulating aims, predictions and hypotheses based on information, observations and knowledge.
• Designs procedures to test a hypothesis and identifies the independent, dependent and controlled variables,
• Demonstrates increased levels of collaboration and initiative in decision-making about samples, measurements, equipment and procedures to use.

Curriculum Subject Links

• Interdependence of plants and animals
• The environment and human influences

Curriculum Skill Links

• Work effectively with others
• Develop creative and critical thinking in their approach to solving scientific problems
• Demonstrate creativity and initiative when developing ideas and following them through
• Work effectively with others