The Digestive System Lesson Plan
Learning Objective: Pupils can describe the main parts of the digestive system and their functions
About this resource
This comprehensive KS2 science lesson plan for Year 4 guides pupils through the fascinating journey of the digestive system, enabling them to identify its main parts and understand their functions. Teachers can use this ready-to-teach resource to deliver an engaging and informative lesson that directly supports the UK National Curriculum's science objectives for human biology.
Starter Activity
10 minutesGive each table a cream cracker. Ask pupils to chew it slowly and describe what happens. 'What's happening to the food in your mouth right now?' Introduce the question: What happens to food after we swallow it?
Main Activity
30 minutesPart 1: The Journey Using a large body outline on the board, trace the journey of food through the digestive system: mouth → oesophagus → stomach → small intestine → large intestine.
Part 2: Hands-On Model Pupils create a digestive system model using: banana in a zip-lock bag (stomach), tights leg (intestines), and water (digestive juices). They squeeze food through each stage.
Part 3: Labelling Pupils label a digestive system diagram and write the function of each organ.
Plenary
10 minutesDigestive system relay: each table must explain one organ's function in a chain. If they get it right, the 'food' (a ball) passes to the next table. Class discussion: 'Why is digestion important?'
Differentiation
SEN Support
Pre-labelled diagram with organs to match. Simplified functions on cards to sort. Adult support during hands-on model.
EAL Support
Visual vocabulary cards for each organ. Sentence frames: 'The [organ] is where [function].' Paired support.
Gifted & Talented
Research what happens when part of the digestive system doesn't work properly. Write about a digestive disorder and its effects.
Key Vocabulary
Assessment Criteria
- Can name the main organs of the digestive system
- Can describe the function of at least 3 organs
- Can sequence the digestive journey correctly