
Life Cycles
Levels 1 and 2

NZC Achievement Objectives

Te Mātauranga o Aotearoa
The Organism: Learn about the needs every living thing has in order to survive.
Te Rauropi: Ka ako haere ko ētahi hiahiatanga kei ngā mea oreore katoa, kia noho ora ai.

Learning Intentions

Integration Ideas
Learning Intentions are from the Ministry of Education
Integration ideas are from the Ministry of Education
Level 1
Observe and talk about the changes that occur in a plant or animal over a period of time.
Students can investigate and describe the ways in which plants and animals change over time.
Level 2
Investigate and understand how animals and plants change during their life history.
Coming Soon!

Related Topics
Resources

Give me a home among the gum trees, with koalas and honey bees…In this unit find out about the life cycle of Australia’s majestic eucalypts and the animals that depend on them.
Level
2
Type
Unit
Among the gum trees
Primary Connections
Give me a home among the gum trees, with koalas and honey bees…In this unit find out about the life cycle of Australia’s majestic eucalypts and the animals that depend on them.

Get ready for “toad-al” fun with Bill Nye and the “Amphibians” episode.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMRCsjrjkpo
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Amphibians
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Get ready for “toad-al” fun with Bill Nye and the “Amphibians” episode.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMRCsjrjkpo

Animal Life Histories focuses on the process of growth and change that all animals undergo in their journey from fertilised egg to adulthood. Students can readily observe life's physical stages in people, pets, and other common kinds of animals around them.
Level
1-4
Type
Activity Book
Animal Life Histories: Reproduction, Growth, and Change
Ministry of Education NZ
Animal Life Histories focuses on the process of growth and change that all animals undergo in their journey from fertilised egg to adulthood. Students can readily observe life's physical stages in people, pets, and other common kinds of animals around them.

To become familiar with the coastal environment with a special focus on rock pools and their environment.
Level
1-4
Type
Lesson Plan
Canterbury's Spectacular Rocky Shore
Environment Canterbury
To become familiar with the coastal environment with a special focus on rock pools and their environment.

In New Zealand, scientists are gathering data about monarch butterflies. They want to find out where the butterflies fly to and from – and where they go in winter.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2013 Level 2: ‘Look out for Monarchs’
Ministry of Education NZ
In New Zealand, scientists are gathering data about monarch butterflies. They want to find out where the butterflies fly to and from – and where they go in winter.

The islands of Tokelau have been invaded by yellow crazy ants. Scientists are investigating where they are and what can be done about them. By collecting and recording data, they can identify the extent of the problem and figure out the best course of action.
Level
2
Type
Book
Connected 2016 Level 2: ‘An Invasion of Yellow Crazies’
Ministry of Education NZ
The islands of Tokelau have been invaded by yellow crazy ants. Scientists are investigating where they are and what can be done about them. By collecting and recording data, they can identify the extent of the problem and figure out the best course of action.

In this lesson we are going to focus on the importance of soil, and the role of decomposers in reducing the food waste heading to landfill. What are you waiting for? Let’s dig a little deeper into the topic of soil … literally!
Level
1-4
Type
Unit
Exploring Soil
Kids Greening Taupō
In this lesson we are going to focus on the importance of soil, and the role of decomposers in reducing the food waste heading to landfill. What are you waiting for? Let’s dig a little deeper into the topic of soil … literally!

At this level, the focus is on a flowering plant's reproductive structures and the growth of new plants. The process of reproduction (including pollination) is covered in the levels 3 and 4 companion book, Making New Plants, Book 26 in this series.
Level
1-2
Type
Activity Book
Flowers, Fruits, and Seeds: Plants and Their Reproductive Parts
Ministry of Education NZ
At this level, the focus is on a flowering plant's reproductive structures and the growth of new plants. The process of reproduction (including pollination) is covered in the levels 3 and 4 companion book, Making New Plants, Book 26 in this series.

Bees need flowers, and flowers need bees… In this unit find out about how flowers rely on animals to germinate and help disperse their seeds and how animals depend on plants for food.
Level
2
Type
Unit
Friends or foes?
Primary Connections
Bees need flowers, and flowers need bees… In this unit find out about how flowers rely on animals to germinate and help disperse their seeds and how animals depend on plants for food.

We are going to practice our observation skills on a mū (insect) we find in our yard or a nearby
park. We will then build a model with the features of the insect we studied.
Level
1-4
Type
Outdoor Activity
Insect Tracking
Whenua Iti Outdoors
We are going to practice our observation skills on a mū (insect) we find in our yard or a nearby
park. We will then build a model with the features of the insect we studied.

Join Bill Nye as he goes around and around and around to explain the cycle of life.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr1q-p-YQLc
Level
1-4
Type
Video
Life Cycles
Bill Nye The Science Guy
Join Bill Nye as he goes around and around and around to explain the cycle of life.
Link for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr1q-p-YQLc

Plant seeds and learn about germination with this cool experiment. Watch seedlings grow as you look after them with the right amount of light and water.
Level
1-4
Type
Experiment
Seed Germination
Science Kids
Plant seeds and learn about germination with this cool experiment. Watch seedlings grow as you look after them with the right amount of light and water.

Crabs live on rocky seashores and hide underneath rocks when the tide is low. Mating often occurs in spring and summer. Link to poster: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago371803.pdf
Level
1-4
Type
Activity
The Lifecycle of a Shore Crab
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
Crabs live on rocky seashores and hide underneath rocks when the tide is low. Mating often occurs in spring and summer. Link to poster: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago371803.pdf

Crabs live on rocky seashores and hide underneath rocks when the tide is low. Mating often occurs in spring and summer.
Level
1-4
Type
Game
The Lifecycle of a Shore Crab Game
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
Crabs live on rocky seashores and hide underneath rocks when the tide is low. Mating often occurs in spring and summer.

Crabs live on rocky seashores and hide underneath rocks when the tide is low. Mating often occurs in spring and summer.
Level
1-4
Type
Poster
The Lifecycle of a Shore Crab Poster
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
Crabs live on rocky seashores and hide underneath rocks when the tide is low. Mating often occurs in spring and summer.

Object of game: to grow to become a healthy well fed sea lion and produce lots of pups. Link to teacher guide: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago062838.pdf
Level
1-4
Type
Game
The New Zealand Sea Lion, Whakahao: Board Game
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
Object of game: to grow to become a healthy well fed sea lion and produce lots of pups. Link to teacher guide: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago062838.pdf

A new education programme focusing on the NZ Sea Lion for schools and interest groups. Participants are encouraged to take on the role of a scientist to study these amazing marine mammals and explore the issues that surround them. Link to board game: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago062839.jpg
Level
1-4
Type
Unit
The New Zealand Sea Lion, Whakahao: Welcoming Back a...
New Zealand Marine Studies Centre
A new education programme focusing on the NZ Sea Lion for schools and interest groups. Participants are encouraged to take on the role of a scientist to study these amazing marine mammals and explore the issues that surround them. Link to board game: https://www.otago.ac.nz/marine-studies/resources/download/otago062839.jpg