Something to get your teeth into

Provided Resources

• Task sheets to support the Y3 and Y4 tasks
  

Additional Resources

• Class set of small safe mirrors
• A plate of apple quarters with the skin on and the core removed -1 quarter per child
• Modelling clay, e.g. Plasticine™, ideally pink and white - enough for Yr3s to each make a model of their teeth
• Pens & pencils
• Scissors
• Glue sticks

Teaching

• To make close observations of the process of biting and chewing to investigate the role of different types of teeth.
• To name the 4 different types of teeth and explain their function within the mouth.
  

Activities

• Eat a slice of apple and observe the function of different teeth in biting and chewing (Yrs 3&4)
• Either write an explanation of the structure and function of the 4 types of teeth (Yr4) or create a model of their lower teeth, drawing each type and matching the name with a description (Yr3)
• Play an active game to embed knowledge of the shape/function of the 4 types of teeth (Yrs 3&4)

Investigation
What can we tell about an animal from looking at its teeth? Look at our teeth and those of different creatures. What types of teeth are there and what do they do? Relate differences to diet. (observing) Make a plasticine model of their lower set of teeth
Year 3- Match labels and annotations
Year 4 – Match labels write own annotations

Vocabulary
Jaw, incisors, molars, premolars, canines, tear, grind, chew, gums, enamel, acid, bacteria, tooth decay