C Curriculum Explorer
Science·Organisms & Life Processes·conceptual

Life Cycles of Organisms

Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all share the common stages of birth, growth, reproduction, and death

Suggested ages 7–9

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Learning journey

Your child is diving deeper into how living things work — understanding plant life cycles from flower to seed, discovering how plants transport water, and learning about the important roles of skeletons, muscles, and proper nutrition.

Evidence of understanding

  • Describe the life cycle of at least two different organisms (e.g. butterfly, frog, plant)
  • Identify the common stages all life cycles share: birth, growth, reproduction, death
  • Explain how life cycles can look very different (metamorphosis vs gradual growth) but follow the same pattern

Assessment prompt

Can Life Cycles of Organisms compare the life cycle of a butterfly with that of a frog and explain what stages they all share — being born, growing, having babies, and dying?

Standards alignment

3-LS1-1US · ngss-k5

3-LS1-1

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) K-5

Y3.Sci.P.4GB · uk-nc-2013

Role of flowers in the plant life cycle

The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2