Variation and Adaptation

In this small unit, children are introduced to the term “variation” for the first time. They used the term “organism” in Living things and their habitats unit and described an organism as a living thing. They now extend this to explore the term “species” as a group of similar organisms where two parents can reproduce to create offspring. They also learn that “variation” refers to differences between organisms.  To explore the concept of variation, children will be given opportunities to look at variation between individuals of the same species and individuals of different species. Children will also explore inheritance and characteristics for the first time. They should be aware (from learning in Y5) that offspring from sexual reproduction are similar to the parents but are not identical. Children should have opportunities to learn that human offspring inherit characteristics from their parents, such as hair colour, eye colour and skin colour. They will also explore the concept that other animals inherit characteristics from their parents. They will discuss breeding in dogs and how humans can breed animals with desirable characteristics. 

Children will learn about animal adaptations. They will understand that adaptations are characteristics which improve the chances of survival in a habitat. They explore specific adaptations of various animals and how these adaptations allow them to survive in their habitats. Children will be given opportunities to compare and discuss how a range of animals such as penguins, polar bears, camels and desert foxes are adapted to survive in extreme conditions. These include both polar and desert environments.