Human Teeth, Types, Number and Positions for Primary 4

Class: Primary 4
Term: Second Term
Week: 3
Age: 9 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Basic Science and Technology
Curriculum Theme: Living and Non-Living Things
Focal competence: Describing the various categories of teeth, their functions and position
Key competencies/values: Communication; Creativity and Innovation
Skills:

• Drawing and labelling parts of the human teeth

Previous Lesson: Parts of the Mouth, Functions, Drawing and Labelling
Topic: Human Body: The Teeth
Subject Matter: Meaning of teeth, Types, numbers and relative positions of human teeth

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Explain the meaning of teeth.
• Name the types of teeth in the mouth.
• State the number of different types of teeth in the mouth.

Psychomotor Domain

• Locate the relative positions of each type of teeth in the mouth.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Basic Science and Technology for Primary Schools, Book 4
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Mirror
• Pieces of meat (optional, for demonstration of chewing)
• Model of the mouth
• Chart showing types of teeth

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand an important part of their body, the teeth, and their different roles. It lays the foundation for appreciating the importance of dental hygiene and proper care for healthy living.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have a basic understanding of the human body and some of its parts.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Human Body: The Teeth

Meaning of Teeth

Teeth are hard, bony structures found in the mouth of humans and many animals. They are used for biting, chewing, and grinding food.

Types of Human Teeth

Humans have four main types of teeth, each with a specific shape and function:

1. Incisors: These are the eight front teeth (four on the top and four on the bottom). They are sharp and chisel-shaped, used for biting and cutting food.
2. Canines: There are four canine teeth, two on the top and two on the bottom, located next to the incisors. They are pointed and sharp, used for tearing food.
3. Premolars (Bicuspids): These are located behind the canines. Adults usually have eight premolars (four on top, four on bottom). They have flat surfaces with ridges, used for crushing and grinding food.
4. Molars: These are the largest teeth, located at the back of the mouth. Adults usually have twelve molars (six on top, six on bottom, including wisdom teeth). They have broad, flat surfaces for heavy grinding of food.

Relative Positions of Human Teeth

The teeth are arranged in a specific order in the mouth:

1. The incisors are at the very front of the mouth.
2. The canines are next to the incisors, one on each side in both the upper and lower jaws.
3. The premolars are located behind the canines.
4. The molars are at the very back of the mouth, behind the premolars.

Number of Different Types of Teeth in an Adult Human

An adult human typically has 32 permanent teeth, which include:

1. Incisors: 8 (4 upper, 4 lower)
2. Canines: 4 (2 upper, 2 lower)
3. Premolars: 8 (4 upper, 4 lower)
4. Molars: 12 (6 upper, 6 lower, including wisdom teeth)

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Practical Activity

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to open their mouths and feel their teeth with their tongues. The teacher then asks, “What do we use our teeth for?” and “Are all our teeth the same?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils feel their teeth and respond to the questions, sharing their ideas about the uses and differences of teeth.

Learning Point: Introduction to teeth

Step 2: Meaning of Teeth

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of teeth as hard, bony structures in the mouth used for biting, chewing, and grinding food. The teacher uses the mouth model to point out the teeth.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and observe the mouth model.

Learning Point: Meaning of teeth

Step 3: Types of Teeth

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identification/Classification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the four types of teeth (incisors, canines, premolars, molars) using the chart and mouth model. The teacher briefly explains the function of each type.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and name the types of teeth on the chart and model.

Learning Point: Four types of teeth

Step 4: Relative Positions of Teeth

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Location

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses the mouth model/chart to show the relative positions of each type of tooth in the mouth, starting from the front to the back. The teacher guides pupils to locate these positions in their own mouths using a mirror.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the model/chart and locate the positions of teeth in their own mouths.

Learning Point: Teeth positions in mouth

Step 5: Number of Teeth

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Counting/Information

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the typical number of each type of tooth in an adult human mouth (e.g., 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, 12 molars). The teacher can use the chart to count them.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and count along with the teacher on the chart.

Learning Point: Number of teeth types

Step 6: Reinforcement and Practical Application

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Application/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides a diagram of the human mouth (or asks pupils to draw a simple one) and guides pupils to label the types of teeth. The teacher can also demonstrate the action of each tooth type with a piece of meat (biting with incisors, tearing with canines, grinding with molars).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils label teeth on a diagram or observe the demonstration.

Learning Point: Labelling teeth types

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What are teeth used for?
2. Name two types of teeth.
3. Where are the incisors located in the mouth?
4. How many canines does an adult human have?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessment of understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning, types, positions, and numbers of human teeth into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarization

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the lesson by reiterating the main points about the different types of teeth, their positions, and numbers, emphasizing their importance for eating and speaking. The teacher encourages pupils to take good care of their teeth.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask any final questions.

Learning Point: Lesson recap and closure

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework/Practice Exercise

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook.

1. Draw a simple diagram of the human mouth and label the four types of teeth.
2. Write down one function for each type of tooth (incisor, canine, premolar, molar).
3. How many molars do you think a child has compared to an adult? (Encourage them to think or ask parents).

Lesson Keywords

• Teeth – Hard, bony structures in the mouth used for chewing.
• Incisors – Front teeth for biting and cutting.
• Canines – Pointed teeth for tearing food.
• Premolars – Teeth behind canines for crushing and grinding.
• Molars – Back teeth for heavy grinding.
• Mouth Model – A physical representation of the mouth.

Differentiation

For weaker learners: Provide pre-labelled diagrams of teeth for them to trace or match. Focus on identifying just two main types of teeth and their primary function. Use more repetitive oral drills.

For faster learners: Challenge them to research the difference between primary (milk) teeth and permanent teeth, or to find out about wisdom teeth. They can also draw and label a more detailed diagram of the mouth.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For a visual explanation of human teeth and their types, search on YouTube for: types of human teeth for kids primary 4

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have a clear mouth model or a large chart showing the different types of human teeth. If using mirrors, ensure they are clean and each pupil has one, or supervise their use carefully for hygiene. Begin by engaging pupils with questions about their own teeth to activate prior knowledge. Clearly explain the meaning of teeth and then systematically introduce each type, its position, and number, using the visual aids. Encourage pupils to actively participate by locating teeth in their own mouths (with mirrors) or on the model. During Step 8, guide pupils to copy the Board Summary notes neatly into their books. Check for understanding throughout the lesson, especially during the evaluation, and provide immediate feedback. Support weaker learners by simplifying tasks and providing more direct guidance, while challenging faster learners with extension activities.