Taking Year 4 - Living Things Outdoors

Grouping animals in different ways

LO: To explore the ways in which animals can be grouped.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

To recognise that living things can be grouped in a variety of ways.

During this outdoor lesson your children will have the opportunity to group a variety of animals in different ways, through active movement, all while using their existing understanding of animals to hold discussions.

Using classification keys for animals

LO: To understand how classification keys are used to classify animals.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

To explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment.

The main activity of this outdoor lesson gives your children the opportunity to explore the wildlife found in your outdoor space, observe their characteristics and features and begin to use appropriate questions to classify them.

Using classification keys for trees

LO: To use classification keys to identify trees.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

To explore and use classification keys to help group, identify and name a variety of living things in their local and wider environment.

Deepen your children’s understanding of classification keys by having them apply their knowledge of trees to create one of their own. This lesson works great in a natural setting or park space!

Identifying how habitats change throughout the year

LO: To identify how habitats change throughout the year.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

To recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things.

Combine science and maths with this practical outdoor lesson that requires minimal resourcing and preparation. Your children will be encouraged to revisit your outdoor space throughout the seasons and apply their existing knowledge to their observations.

Recognising how human impact changes environments

LO: To recognise how environments can change through human impact.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

To recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things.

The main activity of this outdoor lesson focuses on the impact humans can have on nature, both positive and negative, through a visual, hands-on experience that children will remember.

Mrs Davies

Amazing resources which have really helped our school be more confident in using the outdoor space to enhance the children's learning. Great, fun, easy to follow lesson plans, which link directly to the key objectives!

Sharon Taylan

The Alfresco planning hub is a fantastic resources with lesson that are easy to pick up and teach. I use them both as full lesson, lesson starters and intervention session for an LSA. Would highly recommend.

Karyn Weglarz

I am a member of the Planning Hub and I love the variety of lessons provided. Most lessons need only simple materials that I usually already have on hand. I love taking my students out with these lessons.

Amy McTague

Brilliant resources, easy to follow and adapt for learners, clear progression!

Laura Walton

The online planning hub is a lifesaver. I teach in KS1 and the children always ask when we are going outside and parents always say how excited the children are about their outdoor learning. It is exactly what I was looking for and have now been using it for several years. Thank you for such a brilliant resource!

Year 4 - Living Things

Grouping animals in different ways

LO: To explore the ways in which animals can be grouped.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

Using classification keys for animals

LO: To understand how classification keys are used to classify animals.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

Using classification keys for trees

LO: To use classification keys to identify trees.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

Identifying how habitats change throughout the year

LO: To identify how habitats change throughout the year.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

Recognising how human impact changes environments

LO: To recognise how environments can change through human impact.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

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