Lesson Plan

LIVE Lesson: EYFS and KS1 - Remarkable Reptiles: Their Changes Over Time

DE-LIVE-25: EYFS+KS1

Intent

Lesson Outcomes

Explore changes and adaptations of reptiles

National Curriculum

  • Identify and name a variety of common animals including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals
  • Describe and compare the structure of a variety of common animals (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, including pets)
  • Identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other
  • Identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats
  • Describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a simple food chain, and identify and name different sources of food
  • Notice that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults

Working Scientifically

  • Identifying and classifying
  • Using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Gathering and recording data to help in answering questions

EYFS - Understanding the World

Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants
Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class

Resources

Developing Experts will stream two LIVE lessons as part of Science Week 2025 on Friday 7th March. The link to the video will appear on the platform, in the sidebar, under Live Lessons. There will also be a KS3 lesson available to watch at any time from Friday 7th March.

The links will be available through the presentation button.

Session 1: 9:30am for Reception and KS1

Session 2: 11am for KS2

KS3 Session: Available from Friday 7th March

Schools can access the link to the sessions from the DE platform; however, videos are streamed via YouTube. Please ensure your school has access to YouTube, even temporarily on the day; otherwise, your school's firewall will block our live stream. DE may not be able to support on the day but we will provide a test link before the session.

These lessons are designed to take place within the classroom setting, so children can complete the activities on their handout during the LIVE lesson. Please print the appropriate handout prior to the session. Children will also need to take part in partner/class discussions. Accessing the LIVE lesson via the platform will enable teachers to comment and interact in the session - providing answers to the questions posed and asking questions throughout the session. We will try to mention as many schools as we can throughout the session!

Please note that if you are unable to attend the session live, a recording will be available shortly afterwards for you to re-watch.

Rocket words

  • change
  • adapt
  • reptile
  • habitat
  • environment

Implementation

  • Pupils will complete the following activities on the handouts provided. There will be other discussion activities throughout the session.
  • Activity 1: Tick the reptiles.
  • Activity 2: Write the habitat of each gecko (for EYFS, pupils will draw a line to match the gecko to its habitat).
  • Activity 3: Label the tortoise and turtle and discuss their similarities and differences (for EYFS, pupils will discuss the similarities and differences between a turtle and a tortoise using the images and vocabulary cards provided).
  • Activity 4: Discuss the facts about each snake - Where does the snake live? What does the snake eat? KS1: Is the snake venomous or a constrictor? EYFS: What colours and shapes can you spot on each snake?

Impact & Assessment Opportunities

Follow-up activities:

As a class, explore the changing climate that we're experiencing worldwide. For example, sea levels are rising and many climates are getting hotter. Ask the children to create a new species of reptile that would be well-equipped to deal with these changes. Can they discuss and draw their reptiles?