Pollination and dispersal

These lessons look at the ways in which animals are connected to the life cycles of plants, focussing on pollination and dispersal. There are two optional sets of lesson ideas:

• set 1 is designed to be carried out during the spring/summer in a setting where there is access to flower beds
• set 2 can be carried out in the classroom at any time of year.

Curriculum objectives

Pupils should learn:

• that seeds can be dispersed in a variety of ways
• to appreciate that many fruits and seeds provide food for animals, including humans
• that insects pollinate some flowers.

Animal welfare objectives

Pupils should learn:

• to understand how animals play a vital role in the life cycles of plants.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this lesson:

• most pupils will: describe the processes of pollination and seed dispersal
• some pupils will not have made so much progress and will: explain how pollen and seeds are dispersed
• some pupils will have progressed further and will also: explain the interdependence between animals and plants for successful pollination and seed dispersal.