Author: Amanda McGarrigle

Science
Animals including humans:
Teeth, digestion and food chains

Background Information
In this unit, children will learn about humans teeth, and how humans digest food through the digestive system. They will also understand food chains. The digestive system is made up of organs that break down food into protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats, which the body needs for energy, growth, and repair. There are different types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars and molars which all have different functions. Food chains shows the energy transfer when gained when something is eaten or absorbed.

In this unit the children will…
Describe the simple functions of the basic parts of the digestive system in humans.
Recreate a human digestive system.
Identify the different types of teeth in humans.
Identify the simple functions of canines, molars and incisors.
Construct and interpret a variety of food chains
Be able to identifying producers, predators and prey.

By the end of this unit….
All children can:
Identify the different types of teeth.
Understand the different function of the teeth.
Recreate a human digestive system.
Understand most of the key vocabulary.
Understand that sound is a wave.
Participate in activities to help understanding.
Identify food chains.
Understand the importance of keeping your teeth and body healthy for digestion.
Most children will:
Create a food chain.
Demonstrate how the digestive system works.
Understand why we need different types of teeth.
Understand and define all of the key vocabulary.
Some children will:
Explain in detail how humans digest food.
Explain and discuss how energy is transferred in a food change.

Key scientists
Al-Jahiz (9th Century) – Provided one of the earliest descriptions of food webs. He was working in Baghdad, Iraq, in the early 800s.
Charles Elton (1900 – 1991) – Initiated the study of animal ecology

Key Vocabulary
Digestive system –, oesophagus, stomach, acid, small intestine
Protein, vitamin, mineral, carbohydrate, fats, energy, growth, repair. Saliva
Teeth – Incisors, canines, premolars, molars
Function
Food chain – producer, consumer, predator, prey