Life Cycles
Science@school Series
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
Life Cycles is written by established author Brian Knapp. The book includes colour photographs and carefully-presented diagrams in a clear and uncluttered layout, making it accessible to a broad range of abilities.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-10
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What changes do you notice about the butterfly from when it starts as a caterpillar? Why do you think these changes happen?
Can you describe the life cycle of a frog? What do you think would happen if a stage was missed?
Which animal lifecycle was most surprising to you and why?
How can learning about animal life cycles help us take better care of our planet?
If you could be any animal from the book, which one would you choose to be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to draw their favorite animal from the book and its life cycle stages, discussing each stage as they draw.
Compare the life cycles in the book to the human life cycle, highlighting similarities and differences, to make the content relatable.
Use real life examples or a visit to a zoo/nature centre to observe some of the animals discussed in the book, enhancing the learning experience.
Watch a documentary or video clips about different animals' life cycles for a visual reinforcement of what's read.
Discuss the importance of each stage of an animal’s life cycle and how skipping a stage can impact the animal’s development.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the concept of change and growth
Explanation: Through detailed illustrations and explanations, 'Life Cycles' shows the transformation stages of various animals and plants, emphasizing the natural progression from birth to maturity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and understand changes in their own lives, such as growing taller or learning new skills, as part of a natural progress.
Example Lesson: Importance of patience and perseverance
Explanation: 'Life Cycles' highlights the time it takes for creatures like butterflies or frogs to transition through their life stages, teaching that some things cannot be rushed.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the value of waiting patiently and persisting through their own challenges, like mastering a new task or waiting for a birthday.
Example Lesson: Interdependence of ecosystems
Explanation: The book explains how different life forms depend on each other and their environments to thrive, showcasing the interconnectedness of nature.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of caring for their environment and understanding how their actions can affect other living organisms.
Example Lesson: Diversity in nature
Explanation: By exploring various life cycles across a multitude of species, the book exposes children to the vast diversity in the animal and plant kingdoms.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help foster a sense of appreciation and respect for all forms of life, promoting inclusivity and tolerance in everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Scientific observation and curiosity
Explanation: 'Life Cycles' encourages observing natural phenomena and asking questions about how and why changes happen in nature.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to observe the world around them more keenly and to embrace curiosity, enhancing problem-solving and critical thinking skills.