Nutrition for Animals

Year Level

Year 7

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

5 students

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Unit Context

This lesson is Lesson 4 of the 14-lesson unit "Wilderness Adventures Unleashed". It focuses on the role of nutrition in animal care. Students will explore different diets for various animals and culminate in creating a simple meal plan for a pet.

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Victorian Curriculum Alignment

Science Domain

Science Understanding - Biological Sciences

• VCSSU054: Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment.

• VCSSU058: Classification helps organise the diverse group of organisms.

Health and Physical Education Domain

Personal, Social and Community Health

• VCHPEP068: Investigate how the components of natural and built environments influence health and wellbeing.

• VCHPEP069: Plan and practise strategies to promote health, safety and wellbeing.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Explain the importance of nutrition for animal health and wellbeing.
2. Identify different types of diets suitable for various animals (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores).
3. Create a simple, balanced meal plan for a specific pet or animal considering their dietary needs.
4. Use scientific vocabulary related to nutrition and animal biology appropriately.
5. Develop collaboration and communication skills through discussion and presentation.

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Resources Required

• Printed fact sheets/examples listing common animals and their diets (native and domestic).
• Worksheet template for a meal plan.
• Whiteboard and markers or digital interactive whiteboard.
• Images or videos of animals in the wilderness displaying feeding behaviour.
• Plastic food models or pictures (optional for engagement).

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Description	Victorian Curriculum Link
0-10 min	Engage & Discuss: Introduction to Nutrition in Animals	Begin with a brief interactive discussion on why animals need food and different diets they have. Show images/videos of animals feeding in the wild.	VCSSU054, VCHPEP068
10-20 min	Explore: Diet Types and Animal Needs	Introduce three diet types: herbivore, carnivore, omnivore. Use fact sheets to explore examples. Students group animals by diet type.	VCSSU054
20-30 min	Explain: Nutritional Components and Animal Health	Discuss key nutritional components: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fibre, water, vitamins/minerals relevant to animals. Explain how diet supports health and survival.	VCHPEP069, VCSSU058
30-45 min	Elaborate: Create a Meal Plan	Students choose a pet or animal (can be a wildlife example) and develop a simple balanced meal plan suitable for that animal’s nutritional needs, using the worksheets. Teacher supports vocabulary and concept understanding.	VCSSU054, VCHPEP069
45-55 min	Present and Reflect: Share Meal Plans and Discuss	Students present their meal plans to the group, explaining their choices and what nutritional needs they are addressing. Teacher facilitates reflection on different animal diets.	ACELY1720 (Oral presentations)
55-60 min	Conclusion and Assessment: Recap Key Concepts and Q&A	Summarise main points; quick quiz or Q&A session. Clarify any misconceptions.	VCHPEP068, ACELY1723 (Comprehension)

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Detailed Activities

Engage & Discuss (0-10 mins)

• Start with questions to pique curiosity: "What do you think different animals eat in the wild?" "Why do you think diets might be different for animals?"
• Show brief video clips or photos of different animals eating (kangaroos grazing, owls hunting, cockatoos eating seeds).
• Use this to highlight diversity and importance of nutrition.

Explore (10-20 mins)

• Provide fact sheets listing examples of herbivores (koalas, grazing kangaroos), carnivores (quolls, dingoes), omnivores (possums, some birds).
• Discuss characteristics of each diet type and how it relates to their environment and survival.
• Group students to classify animals into their diet categories collaboratively.

Explain (20-30 mins)

• Present simple explanations of nutrients animals need and why (protein for growth, fibre for digestion, etc.).
• Relate this to animal health and adaptations.
• Use visual aids like diagrams or infographics.

Elaborate (30-45 mins)

• Distribute the 'Meal Plan for a Pet' worksheet.
• Students select or are assigned an animal—could be domestic (dog, cat) or native wildlife (possum, wombat).
• Guided by teacher prompts, students fill in a meal plan considering available food types and nutritional needs. For example:
  • Meal type: breakfast/lunch/dinner
  • Food item (e.g., leaves, meat, insects)
  • Nutritional contribution (protein, carbohydrates, vitamins)

Present and Reflect (45-55 mins)

• Each student shares their meal plan explaining choices and which nutritional needs are met.
• Encourage feedback from peers and foster discussion about differences and similarities across species.

Conclusion and Assessment (55-60 mins)

• Quick oral quiz: "Name one nutrient important for animals", "What kind of diet do wombats have?"
• Address errors or misconceptions.
• Reinforce vocabulary: herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, protein, fibre, vitamins.

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Assessment and Differentiation

Formative Assessment:

• Observation of group classification activity and participation in discussions.
• Review of completed meal plan worksheets for understanding of nutrition concepts.
• Oral presentations with reasoning about meal choices.

Differentiation:

• Provide additional scaffolding with sentence starters on worksheets for literacy support.
• Visual aids and realia (food models or pictures) to support understanding.
• Encourage extension by asking higher-achieving students to consider impact of nutrition on animal behaviour or reproduction.

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Cross-Curricular Links

• English: Use of scientific vocabulary, oral presentation skills (linked to ACELY1720)
• Science: Understanding biological concepts of nutrition and animal adaptations
• Health & Physical Education: Discussing health implications of good nutrition

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Teacher Reflection Prompts

• Did students understand the connection between diet and animal health?
• Were students able to apply nutritional knowledge to create a viable meal plan?
• How well did students use scientific language and concepts in their presentations?
• Could activities be differentiated further for diverse learner needs?

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Summary

This lesson integrates Victorian Curriculum Science and Health & Physical Education to foster students' understanding of animal nutrition, promoting critical thinking and communication through a practical and interactive activity — designing a meal plan for animals. This matches curriculum focus on biological sciences, health promotion, and literacy skills, aligned specifically to Year 7 learning outcomes.

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Victorian Curriculum References Summary

• Science Understanding: VCSSU054, VCSSU058
• Health and PE: VCHPEP068, VCHPEP069
• English (Literacy - Oral presentations & comprehension): ACELY1720, ACELY1723, ACELY1804

These ensure the lesson meets curriculum standards for scientific knowledge, health literacy, and effective communication in Year 7 classrooms in Victoria, Australia.