The human menstrual cycle
I can explain how the menstrual cycle prepares adult human females for sexual reproduction.
The human menstrual cycle
I can explain how the menstrual cycle prepares adult human females for sexual reproduction.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Adult human females have a menstrual cycle that prepares them for sexual reproduction
- On average the menstrual cycle is 28 days
- In each cycle, an egg cell is released from an ovary (ovulation)
- After ovulation, the uterus lining breaks down and leaves the body (menstruation)
Keywords
Hormones - Hormones are chemical messengers that control organs and processes in the body
Ovulation - Ovulation is the release of an egg cell from an ovary
Ovaries - The ovaries (singular ovary) contain egg cells and release female sex hormones
Fallopian tubes - Egg cells are passed along the fallopian tubes from the ovary to the uterus
Menstruation - Menstruation is when the lining of the uterus breaks down and is passed out through the vagina
Common misconception
The menstrual cycle is not linked to reproduction
Descriptions of egg release and function of the uterus lining in regard to the reproduction detailed on the menstrual cycle diagrams
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: The human menstrual cycle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 science lesson on: The human menstrual cycle, 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 nudity
- Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Used in sexual reproduction and for birthing a baby.
Releases egg cells and hormones.
Where a developing foetus grows.
Moves the egg cells from the ovaries to the uterus.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
