Year 6 Animals, including humans

Knowledge and Understanding

Statutory Requirements

6b1: identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system, and describe the functions of the heart, blood vessels and blood

6b2: recognise the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies function

6b3: describe the ways in which nutrients and water are transported within animals, including humans.

Knowledge and Understanding

Notes and Guidance

Pupils should build on their learning from years 3 and 4 about the main body parts and internal organs (skeletal, muscular and digestive system) to explore and answer questions that help them to understand how the circulatory system enables the body to function.

Pupils should learn how to keep their bodies healthy and how their bodies might be damaged – including how some drugs and other substances can be harmful to the human body.

Pupils might work scientifically by: exploring the work of scientists and scientific research about the relationship between diet, exercise, drugs, lifestyle and health.

Upper KS2 - Working Scientifically

Statutory Requirements

uks2w1: planning different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary

uks2w2: taking measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate

uks2w3: recording data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs

uks2w4: using test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests

uks2w5: reporting and presenting findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations

uks2w6: identifying scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments.

Upper KS2 - Working Scientifically

Notes and Guidance

Pupils in years 5 and 6 should use their science experiences to: explore ideas and raise different kinds of questions; select and plan the most appropriate type of scientific enquiry to use to answer scientific questions; recognise when and how to set up comparative and fair tests and explain which variables need to be controlled and why. They should use and develop keys and other information records to identify, classify and describe living things and materials, and identify patterns that might be found in the natural environment. They should make their own decisions about what observations to make, what measurements to use and how long to make them for, and whether to repeat them; choose the most appropriate equipment to make measurements and explain how to use it accurately. They should decide how to record data from a choice of familiar approaches; look for different causal relationships in their data and identify evidence that refutes or supports their ideas. They should use their results to identify when further tests and observations might be needed; recognise which secondary sources will be most useful to research their ideas and begin to separate opinion from fact. They should use relevant scientific language and illustrations to discuss, communicate and justify their scientific ideas and should talk about how scientific ideas have developed over time.

These opportunities for working scientifically should be provided across years 5 and 6 so that the expectations in the programme of study can be met by the end of year 6. Pupils are not expected to cover each aspect for every area of study.

Blood Worksheet Free!

Outstanding Science Year 6 | Animals, including humans | OS6B003

Learning objective

I can describe the functions of blood and blood vessels.

Children describe the functions of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma, and create a pie chart showing the percentage of each component by volume in a typical sample of blood.

6b1: identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system, and describe the functions of the heart, blood vessels and blood

Blood contains several components with different functions.

Red blood cells carry oxygen.

White blood cells fight infection.

Platelets help to prevent bleeding.

Plasma is the medium in which other blood components are suspended.

Year 6 Animals, including humans | Outstanding Science

2 pages

Download
(487kb)

The human circulatory system Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 6 | Animals, including humans | OS6B001

Learning objective

I can identify the main parts of the human circulatory system and explain their functions.

They learn about the role of the heart, blood vessels, and the components of blood such as red and white blood cells, platelets and plasma. In the writing frame provided, children create an information text on the human circulatory system using what they have learned.

6b1: identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system, and describe the functions of the heart, blood vessels and blood

The human circulatory system is composed of two parts - the systemic circulation and the pulmonary circulation.

The pulmonary circulatory system pumps deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs, where the blood is reoxygenated and pumped back to the heart.

The systemic circulatory system pumps oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body and pumps deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

2 pages

Subscribe to download this resource

The human heart Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 6 | Animals, including humans | OS6B002

Learning objective

I can explain how the human heart works.

Children create their own 8-part explanation text, showing how blood is pumped around the body. They cut and paste, or write their own descriptions.

6b1: identify and name the main parts of the human circulatory system, and describe the functions of the heart, blood vessels and blood

The human heart is a vital organ.

Blood flows through the heart's double pumps system to the lungs and all around the body, supplying oxygen and removing waste products.

Low-oxygen blood from around the body flows into the right atrium, then the right ventricle, then to the lungs (where it becomes oxygenated), then back to the left atrium, then the left ventricle, from where the oxygenated blood is pumped around the body.

3 pages

Subscribe to download this resource

Investigating heart rate Investigation

Outstanding Science Year 6 | Animals, including humans | OS6B004

Learning objective

I can investigate the effect of exercise on heart rate.

Children learn to measure their heart rate in beats per minute (bpm) by taking their radial pulse. They take and record their resting heart rate, then perform a vigorous exercise and measure their heart rate afterwards at an interval of 1 minute for 8 minutes. Children record their results in a table and transfer them to a line graph. Children interpret their results, discussing how their heart rate changed over time and why.

6b2: recognise the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies function

The human body adjusts its heart rate to support periods of increased oxygen requirements.

2 pages

Subscribe to download this resource

Alcoholic drinks Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 6 | Animals, including humans | OS6B005

Learning objective

I can calculate how much alcohol is in different alcoholic beverages.

Children learn about the short and long-term effects of alcohol consumption. Children look at 16 different servings of different alcoholic drinks. Using the serving size and %ABV, they calculate how much alcohol (in ml) and how many units of alcohol are in each beverage. They place the beverages in order of strength. Children discuss why people drink alcohol if it has negative health effects.

6b2: recognise the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies function

The active ingredient in alcoholic beverages is ethanol, also known as alcohol.

The strength of an alcoholic beverage can be measured as the percentage alcohol by volume (% ABV).

The short-term effects of alcohol include (in order of increased intoxication) increased euphoria, lowered inhibitions and anxiety, slurred speech, impaired judgement, balance problems, blurred vision, dizziness, vomiting, unconsciousness, irregular breathing, alcohol poisoning and death.

Indirect effects of alcohol intoxication include violence and traffic accidents.

The long-term effects of alcohol intoxication include dependence (addiction), and brain and liver damage.

Alcohol consumption while pregnant is extremely dangerous for the foetus.

3 pages

Subscribe to download this resource

The effects of smoking Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 6 | Animals, including humans | OS6B006

Learning objective

I can describe the effects of smoking.

Children carry out a survey, using a tally chart to find out the worst side effect of smoking. They transfer their results to a bar chart and place the negative effects in order of concern.

6b2: recognise the impact of diet, exercise, drugs and lifestyle on the way their bodies function

Smoking involves inhaling tobacco smoke which contains the active ingredient, nicotine.

Nicotine is highly addictive.

Health issues associated with smoking include cancer, heart damage, lung damage, and reproductive damage.

Other negative effects of smoking include the unpleasant smell, high cost, and effects on the skin.

4 pages

Subscribe to download this resource

Diet and exercise Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 6 | Animals, including humans | OS6B007

Learning objective

I can explain how diet and exercise affect body weight.

Children look at 6 different people profiles. They calculate whether each person is eating the right amount of food, and suggest ways in which they can improve their lifestyles.

Our bodies are constantly using energy.

We get all of our energy from food.

Humans and some other animals can store surplus food energy in the form of fat deposits to help in times of starvation.

Obesity is a condition where the body accumulates excess fat to the extent that it has a negative impact on health.

4 pages

Subscribe to download this resource

The benefits of exercise Worksheet

Outstanding Science Year 6 | Animals, including humans | OS6B008

Learning objective

I can research the preferred forms of exercise in our class.

Children learn about the many benefits of physical exercise, and identify some aerobic exercises. Children carry out a survey, identifying the most popular forms of exercise in their class or school. They record their results in a tally chart, displaying their results in a horizontal bar chart. They identify the most popular forms of exercise and suggest ways in which they can be promoted in school.

The benefits of physical exercise include increased happiness and confidence, increased muscle strength, improved circulation, stronger heart and lungs, better posture, easier weight maintenance/weight loss, and longevity.