Amazing Ants

Overview

This 60-minute lesson introduces Year 1 pupils to ants, focusing on their life cycle, behaviours, and diet. It aligns with the National Curriculum for England’s Science programme of study for Key Stage 1, specifically:

Biology: Identify and name a variety of common animals including insects (Year 1)
Working scientifically: Use observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

Name the basic stages of an ant’s life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, adult
Describe key behaviours of ants such as foraging, building tunnels, and teamwork
Identify what ants eat and explain how they find their food
Make careful observations of live ants in an ant farm and record simple findings
Discuss what they have learned through guided questioning

These objectives meet the following National Curriculum links:

Biology - Animals including humans: Pupils should be taught to identify and name a variety of common animals including insects (NC Year 1 science)
Working scientifically: Use simple equipment to observe closely, perform simple tests, and use observations to answer questions (NC Year 1 science)

Materials

One or two classroom ant farms (with live ants) set up prior to lesson
Large colourful diagram/poster of an ant life cycle (egg, larva, pupa, adult)
Realistic plastic or paper ant models in different life stages (optional)
Printed food pictures for ants: tiny insects, sugary liquids (honeydew), crumbs (for demonstration)
Whiteboards and pens or science notebooks for recording observations
Magnifying glasses (enough for pairs)
Ant fact cards (simple sentences on behaviour and diet)
Blank life cycle worksheets with labelled arrows for drawing and labelling
Timer or clock

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

Gather pupils on the carpet and show the ant farm. Ask: “What do you think is inside?” Record children’s initial ideas.
Introduce the lesson objectives clearly and enthusiastically.
Show the ant life cycle diagram. Explain each stage briefly using simple language: “The ant starts as a tiny egg, grows into a soft larva, then a pupa, and finally becomes an ant like the ones we see.”
Use plastic models or drawings to link each stage visually.

2. Guided Group Observation (15 minutes)

Pupils split into pairs to observe the live ants in the ant farm using magnifying glasses.
Set timer for 10 minutes; encourage pupils to note:
- What behaviours do they see? (e.g., ants carrying food, digging tunnels, following each other)
- Are all ants the same size or doing the same thing?
Pupils record or draw one behaviour they notice in their whiteboards or notebooks.
Teacher circulates, asks open questions: “Why do you think the ant is carrying something? What might it be?”

3. Interactive Discussion & Food Sorting (10 minutes)

Regroup and discuss observations briefly. Highlight teamwork in ants and their busy behaviours.
Display ant diet pictures: tiny insects, sugary liquids (honeydew), crumbs.
Ask pupils to sort the pictures into “Foods ants eat” and “Foods ants don’t eat” with teacher guidance.
Talk about how ants find their food using trails and smell, linking back to observations.

4. Life Cycle Worksheet Activity (15 minutes)

Provide pupils with blank life cycle worksheets with labelled arrows only.
Using memory, drawings or models, pupils draw or stick the stages of the ant’s life cycle in order and add simple labels or captions with help.
Teacher supports and checks understanding individually.

5. Plenary & Assessment (10 minutes)

Come back together for a quick quiz/game: Teacher asks questions, e.g., “What’s the first stage of an ant’s life?” “What do ants like to eat?” “What can ants do together that’s special?”
Pupils can raise hands or respond verbally.
Collect worksheets for assessment of life cycle knowledge and drawings.
Formative assessment through questioning: Did pupils use correct vocabulary? Can they describe behaviours observed?

Differentiation

Support: Provide labelled life cycle stages as cut-outs for pupils to place in order if drawing is challenging.
Challenge: Ask more able pupils to write simple sentences about one ant behaviour they saw or to explain why teamwork helps ants.

Safety and Practical Notes

Ensure ant farm is securely closed to avoid escapes.
Remind children to handle magnifying glasses carefully.
Check for any allergies or phobias related to insects before lesson.

Extension Ideas

Create an “ant trail” obstacle course outside to mimic ant behaviour cooperating.
Pupils keep a weekly ant observation diary following changes in the ant farm.
Make simple sugar water outside and observe if ants come to visit, discussing their favourite foods.

Summary

This hands-on, interactive lesson engages Year 1 pupils with living insects to meet National Curriculum requirements by developing scientific observation skills and biological knowledge. By using a real ant farm combined with discussion, sorting, and creative drawing, pupils deepen understanding of life cycles, animal behaviour, and diets while practising working scientifically.

Teaching Instructions