Applying our learning to the animal kingdom

This week in Science, Year 4 became real zoologists as we applied our learning about human teeth to the fascinating world of animal skulls.

We began by revisiting the four different types of human teeth — incisors, canines, premolars and molars — and discussing the important jobs each one does, from cutting and tearing to crushing and grinding food. The children then examined a range of animal skulls and carefully observed the shapes and sizes of their teeth.

They quickly spotted patterns between herbivores, which tend to have strong incisors and large molars for grinding plants, and carnivores, which often have sharp canines and incisors for tearing meat. Using these clues, the class researched different animals and confidently predicted what kinds of teeth they would have based on their diets.

The children showed excellent scientific thinking, observation skills and teamwork throughout the investigation, asking thoughtful questions and making impressive links between structure and function.