Today we are learning to describe and compare the structure of a variety of common animals (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) including pets.

Briefly revisit previous learning on human body parts. Use the Lesson Presentation below to show parts of the body that are common to humans and familiar animals.

Using the Lesson Presentation, look at different animal body parts in turn. Children draw animals with various body parts on a piece of paper.

Remind children of the vocabulary to be used when describing animals (e.g claw, hoof, paw, flipper, antlers, horn, tusks, skin, fur, feathers, scales, wings, beak, gills, fin, tentacles.)

Children take turns to describe the body parts of an animal to a partner who has their eyes closed. After each turn, talk through the key body parts of the animal to reinforce vocabulary.

Show children the 'Animal Bodies Activity Sheet'. Look closely at each animal to decide what each body part is called. Demonstrate finding the correct word on the 'Animal Body Parts Word Mat'.

You could also describe the animal by writing sentences about each body part. Model drawing an animal of your choice in the fourth space, writing the animal’s name in the title space, and thinking of sentences to describe it.

Children complete the 'Animal Bodies Activity Sheet' by writing sentences to describe the animal using the 'Animal Body Parts Word Mat' for support.