Year 6 Evolution and Inheritance Planning

A comprehensive, enquiry-based Year 6 Science unit covering Evolution and Inheritance, carefully planned across 8 progressive lessons. This unit develops pupils’ scientific understanding while embedding key skills such as questioning, observing patterns, using evidence, and evaluating ideas.

Each lesson is clearly structured with learning objectives, success criteria, key vocabulary, enquiry questions, practical activities, differentiation, mini-writing opportunities, and plenaries, making it ideal for confident, consistent delivery across a half term.

Topics covered:

Inheritance and how characteristics are passed on

Variation within species

Adaptations and survival in different environments

Natural selection and evolution over time

Fossils as evidence of life in the past

Extinction and human impact

How scientific ideas change with new evidence

Ethical debates around de-extinction

Teaching approach:

Enquiry-based learning throughout

Strong focus on scientific vocabulary and reasoning

Regular misconception checks

Practical investigations (e.g. finch beak simulation, fossil evidence analysis)

Discussion-rich lessons that promote critical thinking and debate

Clear links to real-world science and ethical issues

Differentiation & inclusion:

Differentiation built into every lesson (LA / MA / HA)

Visual supports and structured tasks for lower attainers

Challenge prompts for higher-attaining pupils

SEND scaffolding included

Ideal for:

Year 6 teachers

Subject leaders

Enquiry-focused science teaching

Mixed-ability classes

Reducing planning time while maintaining curriculum depth

This unit fully supports Upper KS2 National Curriculum expectations for Evolution and Inheritance, while promoting curiosity, scientific thinking, and meaningful discussion.