Science Year 2
Session E
Dependency
Working
scientifically
Biology Strand: Living things and their habitats
Programme of study: 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 one another
Use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
Examples of seeds that are spread by animals (if available). Access to internet
Resources
Whole class teaching:
The plants and animals living in a particular habitat are often dependent on one another. Some animals eat plants, and so if
suitable plants were no longer available in the habitat the animal might go hungry. What could the animal do in that case? Try
eating a different plant or move to a place where the original plant was still growing. Some animals eat other animals, so again
if the animals they eat as food no longer live in the habitat those animals might also be hungry. What could they do in that
case? Try eating other similar animals, eat plants or move to a place where their favourite food is still living.
Can children think of any other ways in which animals might be dependent on plants? They might live on or in the plants, e.g.
birds nesting in trees or bushes, squirrels living in trees, owls nesting in holes in trees, butterflies laying their eggs on plants, etc.
One amazing example of a plant providing home for many animals is the oak tree. A mature English Oak tree supports a larger
number of different life forms than any other British tree. This includes over 280 species of insect living on it & up to 324 types
of lichens growing on the bark of any one tree. The vast array of insect life found in the oak tree means that they supply the
most food for birds such as Tits and Tree Creepers. When acorns loosen in their cups, the oak tree provides a harvest for many
wild creatures. In ancient times the wild boar, but now, jays, pigeons, pheasants, ducks, squirrels, mice, badgers, deer and pigs
feast on acorns in the autumn.
Plants can provide shade &/or protection from heavy rain as well as shelter for animals.
Many plants also depend on animals to spread (disperse) their seeds. This can be done in different ways – some fruits
containing seeds are eaten by animals & these seeds then pass through them & are deposited on the ground when the animal
does a poo, e.g. blackberry & raspberry seeds. Other seeds are collected by animals & stored to eat when food is more scarce,
e.g. acorns & walnuts by squirrels. They then forget where they’ve left them & in the Spring the seeds germinate & grow! Some
seeds are covered in hooks or spines, which get caught in the animal’s fur or feathers (or human clothes) & are carried away
from the parent plant before they drop off or are knocked off, e.g. cleavers or goose grass & lesser burdock. Show chn examples
of these seeds if available.
Group activities:
Independent activity:
Children draw a picture of an oak tree with some of the different animals that depend on it for survival.
Independent activity:
Children draw pictures of seeds that are spread by animals. Label the seeds. Children could use the Catching a Lift and Animal
Food sections of this website:
http://www2.bgfl.org/bgfl2/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/science/plants_pt2/dispersal.htm.
Independent activity:
Children complete the sentences about dependency provided in session resources.
Plenary:
Explain that we are going to look in more detail about the way plants & animals in any one habitat depend on each other in a
later session. Ask children to suggest some habitats that we could study in the next two sessions – either local habitats or those
further away. Write ideas on f/c & save for the next session.
I can:
1. Explain how animals depend on the plants in their habitat.
2. Explain how plants depend on animals in their habitat.
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