Lesson summary
Students explore how teeth help animals survive in the habitats they live in. They explore differences in the teeth of carnivores, herbivores and omnivores and how these teeth are suited to different diets. Students look at the features of their own teeth and consider how we might look after our teeth.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- understand that different animals have different teeth to help them survive in the environments they live in
- understand that humans have a range of teeth that are suited to the diets that we need to survive.
Success criteria:
Students can...
- recognise that animals have structural features and behaviours that help them survive in their environments
- know and identify the main types of teeth that we have in our mouths and how these differ from other animals
- know the actions to take to look after their teeth and create a poster or presentation to communicate these actions.
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Australian curriculum (v9.0) content descriptions - Year 5 Science
Students learn to:
- examine how particular structural features and behaviours of living things enable their survival in specific habitats (AC9S5U01)
General capabilities: Literacy, Numeracy, Critical and Creative Thinking.
Syllabus outcomes: ST3-4LW
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability
Relevant parts of Year 5 Science achievement standards:
By the end of Year 5, students explain how the form and behaviour of living things enable survival.
Resources required
- Assessment Rubric
- Carrots (optional)
- Oral Health fact sheet
- Materials for making posters or presentations
- Mirrors (optional)
- Structural Features and Behaviours fact sheet
- Teeth image
- The Features of Teeth – presentation
Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- Communication
- Critical thinking
Additional info
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium - lead the class discussions and oversee independent and group activities.
Special thanks to:
This project was created in partnership with Smile Squad and Dental Health Services Victoria. Smile Squad is the Victorian Government free school dental program. It offers free dental care to all Victorian government primary and secondary school students.
