Micro-organisms are living things
I can describe what micro-organisms are, and know that they are living things.
Micro-organisms are living things
I can describe what micro-organisms are, and know that they are living things.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Micro-organisms are tiny living things that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
- Micro-organisms are commonly known as germs, bugs or microbes.
- Micro-organisms can be viewed using a microscope.
- Micro-organisms are found everywhere, in soil, air, water, on your skin and in your digestive system.
Keywords
Living thing - A living thing is something that is alive. It can grow, reproduce, move, feed and excrete waste material.
Organism - An organism is a living thing.
Micro-organism - A micro-organism is a very tiny living thing.
Microbe - Microbe is another name for a micro-organism.
Microscope - A microscope is a piece of equipment that magnifies very tiny objects.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that micro-organisms are very tiny animals or that they are not living things. Pupils may think that all micro-organisms are harmful germs.
Explain that micro-organisms are living things as they carry out the same processes as other living things, but they aren't animals because they have a simpler structure than animals. Explain that some helpful micro-organisms live inside our bodies.
To help you plan your year 6 science lesson on: Micro-organisms are living things, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 science lesson on: Micro-organisms are living things, 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.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Why we group and classify living things unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
flowering plant
non-flowering plant
invertebrate: arachnid
invertebrate: insect
vertebrate: mammal
Exit quiz
6 Questions
