Science Year 6 Biology Strand: Human Reproduction & Relationships
Discuss why living things need to reproduce & look in detail at human life cycle, comparing it to other animals. Give chn Flour Babies challenge & study changes at puberty. Research rites of passage in different cultures. Look at STDs
(partic HIV/Aids).
Descriptions of Sessions
Title
PS1 Same & different
PS2 Same & different
A1 Life Cycles
A2 Life Cycles
B1 Babies
B2 Babies
C1 Puberty
C2 Puberty
D1 Life Choices
D2 Life Choices
Description
The first two sessions are an introduction to the Strand. This one helps chn appreciate that there are many physical differences between plants & animals
(including humans) that are not necessarily good or bad nor important to function or ability.
Look in more detail at differences between people living in Britain. Discuss our multi-cultural society. Share poems in We are Britain by Benjamin Zephaniah to inspire chn to write poems about themselves. Can chn recognise their own Wanted poster?
Set up ground rules for this Strand. Revise knowledge of life cycles of butterflies, frogs which both involve metamorphosis & flowering plants. Discuss reasons for reproduction and consider animals facing extinction. Start reading
Flour Babies.
Using the riddle of the Sphinx as a starting point, look in detail at the human life cycle & compare the stages with those of other animals. Look at the range of different gestation periods & life spans; draw graphs & look for patterns. Begin research.
Chn consider the development that they have undergone since they were babies.
Draw a timeline of their lives so far. Continue research into the life stages of another animal concentrating on how quickly the babies develop. Have a baby photo challenge!
Look at the proportions of a human adult as shown by Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man.
Investigate the shape changes between a baby and an adult human, concentrating on the head to body length ratio. Measure & draw graphs. Sketch children & adults in proportion.
Look at the physical changes that take place during puberty. Some are seen easily, e.g. growing taller & broader, hair around genitals & under arms, etc. Also discuss menstruation & wet dreams & rites of passage in different cultures on reaching puberty.
Look at the emotional changes in puberty. Use drama to act out typical scenarios involving parents & teenagers; look at the different viewpoints & discuss how compromise can ease situations. Look at the meaning of friendships & where help can be found.
Explain to chn that they are going to be challenged to look after a Flour Baby for a week as in Anne Fine’s book. Set up ground rules & name their Flour Babies.
Discuss how names are chosen & the meanings & significance of both first names
& family names.
Think about all the different relationships that chn have/will have with other people, leading to a discussion about marriage. Research marriage customs in different cultures. Chn return to timelines & predict hopes & expectations for their future lives.
© Hamilton Trust 2009 Y6 - Science

E1 Pregnancy
E2 Pregnancy
F1 Sexual Health
F2 Sexual Health
Changes at puberty prepare our bodies to have chn of our own. Look in more detail at human fertilisation & pregnancy & learn how important it is for motherto-be to look after her health. Look at baby growth in utero & explain function of umbilical cord.
Watch a video of a birth & discuss other forms of delivery such as Caesarean or forceps deliveries. Discuss how the parents’ lives will now change & relate this to chn’s Flour Babies experience. Research birth rites of passage in different cultures.
Have discussion about contraceptives as a way of preventing an unwanted pregnancy, but also explain that they can help protect against STI/Ds. Use drama to practise saying no to peer pressure for smoking, alcohol or drugs. Chn design warning labels.
Discuss one STD/I in more detail – HIV/Aids. Ensure chn understand diff between having the virus & the syndrome. Watch a video by chn living with an
HIV mother & discuss stigma involved with HIV/Aids. Look at stats & discuss
Memory Books & World Aids Day.
© Hamilton Trust 2009 Y6 - Science

© Hamilton Trust 2009 Y6 - Science