New
New
Year 5

Pollinators (non-statutory)

I can explain how plants are pollinated by animals and describe the common features of pollinators.

New
New
Year 5

Pollinators (non-statutory)

I can explain how plants are pollinated by animals and describe the common features of pollinators.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower of the same species.
  2. A pollinator is an animal involved in the pollination of plants.
  3. Pollination is mostly done by insects, although some birds, bats and other small mammals can be pollinators.
  4. Features such as wings, hairy bodies and long noses mean pollinators can move around flowers, taking pollen with them.

Keywords

  • Pollination - Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower of the same species.

  • Pollen - Pollen is a very fine powder made by the anthers of a flower. It is needed to make a seed.

  • Anther - An anther is a male part of a flower that produces pollen.

  • Stigma - The stigma is a sticky part at the top of the female parts of a flower.

  • Pollinator - A pollinator is an animal which pollinates a flowering plant.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that animals are pollinating flowers to intentionally help them.

Explain that pollinators are visiting flowers to find food for themselves, rather than to help the plant; they do not pollinate flowers on purpose.

During the lesson, Sam creates a model using household items to help explain pollination. This lesson could be enhanced by giving pupils the opportunity to make and try out the model themselves so they can observe first-hand how pollen is moved from place to place by animals.
Teacher tip

Equipment

If wanting pupils to make their own models, each small group needs 1 cupcake case, 2-3 sweets per 'flower', 5-6 cheese puff crisps, kitchen roll. Check for food allergies.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these living things is not an animal?
robin
Correct answer: rose
butterfly
bee
Q2.
Which of these pictures shows a flower?
A
B
Correct answer: C
Q3.
Match the part of the plant to its function.
Correct Answer:flower,reproduction

reproduction

Correct Answer:stem,supporting the plant and transporting water and nutrients

supporting the plant and transporting water and nutrients

Correct Answer:leaves,making food for the plant

making food for the plant

Correct Answer:roots,anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients

anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients

Q4.
What is pollen?
tiny seeds inside a flower’s ovary which is used to produce new plants
a sticky liquid stored inside the flower which is used to attract pollinators
Correct answer: a fine powder made on the anthers of a flower which is used to produce seeds
Q5.
Match the part of the flower to its name.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:A,petal

petal

Correct Answer:B,stigma

stigma

Correct Answer:C,anther

anther

Q6.
What is the name of the female part of the flower that catches pollen and is often sticky?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: stigma
anther
petal
stamen

6 Questions

Q1.
Pollination is when pollen from an anther (male part) lands on a (female part).
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: stigma
Q2.
What is a pollinator?
a special part of the plant that makes pollen
a scientist who is responsible for pollinating plants
a machine that moves pollen around from plant to plant
Correct answer: an animal that transfers pollen from one flower to another
Q3.
Which features are often found on animals that are pollinators?
Correct answer: furry bodies
very smooth skin
Correct answer: long noses or beaks
long tails
Correct answer: wings
Q4.
Which of these animals is not a common pollinator?
bee
Correct answer: worm
butterfly
hummingbird
Q5.
How has this bee become covered in pollen?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: It has brushed past the anthers of a flower.
It has picked it up to take back to its hive.
It has tried to eat the pollen.
A stigma stuck it onto the bee as it passed.
Q6.
Why do pollinators visit flowers?
to enjoy the nice smell and colourful flowers
Correct answer: to find and eat nectar
to help them reproduce
Q4 image 1 bumble bee hovering over a flower