When something rots it decays or decomposes.

Compost is useful for growing plants. It can be made by rotting down certain types of food and garden waste.

Nutrients are substances that living things use to stay alive and healthy. Animals take in nutrients from their food.

A micro-organism is a very tiny living thing.

The 5 Rs (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Science

In this Why we group and classify living things unit, pupils learn about why we classify plants and animals based on specific characteristics. In the Species and classification unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn more about the identification and classification of organisms, including at the cellular level.

In the Living things and the environment unit, pupils learnt to recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways. In this Why we group and classify living things unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to give reasons for classifying plants and animals based on specific characteristics

This unit covers the classification of living things, including micro-organisms, plants, and animals, based on observable characteristics. It explores reasons for classification and focuses on planning scientific enquiries, recording data, presenting findings, and evaluating scientific evidence.

Why we group and classify living things

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

When we leave certain types of food waste and other materials to decompose over time, what is made?

The 5 Rs are refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and ...

Which of these things does compost not need?

Which of these types of waste should not be put into a compost bin?

What do we call the micro-organisms and small animals that break down the waste in a compost heap?

Compost provides {{}} that plants need to grow and be healthy.

Plants absorb water and nutrients from the {{}} they are growing in.

Humans create lots of waste everyday at home and school or work. What is waste?

Match the living thing to the correct group.

substances that living things use to grow and stay healthy

foods containing lots of vitamins and minerals

micro-organisms that keep living things healthy

Content guidance

Exploration of objects

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

The 5 Rs (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.