Background

A life cycle depicts the changes a living thing goes through during its life. In some cases, this process is slow and gradual but in others the process is quick. Mayflies have the shortest life cycle on Earth. Their life only lasts 24 hours, but some species only last a few hours.

Key Learning Question

How do life cycles differ between animals?

Learning Intentions

In this program students will:

• Explore the terms lifecycle, monotreme, marsupial, placental, oviparous and viviparous
• Learn about the lifecycle of a frog, insect, bird, mammal and reptile
• Understand that living things depend on each other and the environment to survive
   

Activities

Students will:

• Define the term lifecycle.
• Undertake a series of activities to learn about the life cycle of a frog, insect, bird, mammal and reptile
• Create an environment around the life cycle of an insect
   

Note:

• Maximum 50 students per day.

Victorian Curriculum

Science – Biological sciences

• Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things (VCSSU057 [1])
• Different living things have different life cycles and depend on each other and the environment to survive (VCSSU058 [2])

Learning Continuum

The following Learning Continuum is a guide for teachers to show the links between the programs. Ecolinc offers onsite, online and through outreach. The Learning Continuum can be used to access Ecolinc resources to support the development of units of work.

Ecolinc Learn Online [3] is an online learning management system offering interactive online courses for students and teachers. These courses can be undertaken either as a pre-visit, post-visit or stand-alone. Students are encouraged to do the post-learning course after the Outreach program.