Life cycles and reproduction
I can explain the role of reproduction as part of the life cycle of humans and other organisms.
Life cycles and reproduction
I can explain the role of reproduction as part of the life cycle of humans and other organisms.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- All living organisms have a life cycle.
- All life cycles include stages of growth and reproduction.
- In humans, the reproduction stage of the life cycle involves producing a baby that grows into a new human.
- In some plants, the reproduction stage of the life cycle involves producing a seed that grows into a new plant.
Keywords
Life cycle - A life cycle is the stages a living organism goes through in its life.
Growth - The growth of an organism is an increase in size due to making more cells.
Reproduction - Reproduction is a common process where living organisms make offspring.
Zygote - A zygote is the fertilised egg of a human, and the first stage in the life cycle.
Sexual reproduction - Sexual reproduction is the process of making offspring where half the DNA is passed from each parent.
Common misconception
Sexual reproduction occurs in animals but not in plants.
The lesson contains a section on plant sexual reproduction.
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Life cycles and reproduction, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: Life cycles and reproduction, 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 3 science lessons from the Reproduction in humans unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
A chemical molecule that carries the genetic code.
The process where living organisms make offspring.
The stages a living organism goes through in its life.
A process that increases the size of an organism by making new cells.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
