Fats in food: plan and do (non-statutory)
I can set up an investigation to compare how much fat is in different types of food.
Fats in food: plan and do (non-statutory)
I can set up an investigation to compare how much fat is in different types of food.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Fats are a type of nutrient that you get from your diet, that give your body energy.
- It is essential to eat some fats, though it is also harmful to eat too much.
- Fats in foods produce a greasy mark that is not easily removed.
- Fats in food, absorbed by paper, are easily visible and make it easy to identify which foods contain fats.
- Scientists ask questions, then plan investigations to find answers.
Keywords
Nutrient - A nutrient is any substance that plants or animals need in order to live and grow.
Label - A label is a sign that gives us information about the thing it is with.
Fat - Fat is a nutrient found in foods such as butter and cheese. Only small amounts are needed as part of a healthy diet.
Greasy - Something that is greasy is covered with or produced by fats and oils.
Observe - To observe is to look very closely and use other senses too.
Common misconception
All foods containing fats are 'bad' for us and we should not eat them.
Humans need some fat as part of a balanced diet but a diet that is very high in fat is not healthy for humans.
To help you plan your year 3 science lesson on: Fats in food: plan and do (non-statutory), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 3 science lesson on: Fats in food: plan and do (non-statutory), 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 2 science lessons from the Healthy eating unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Food labels, a variety of different types of crisps, squared paper.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions












Exit quiz
6 Questions




