Grade 1 Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 1 science in the Nova Scotia Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Earth and Space Science: Daily and Seasonal Changes. Learners will analyse daily and seasonal change in the environment.
- Life Science: Needs of living things. Learners will analyse interconnectiveness of living things and the environment.
- Physical Science: Materials, objects, and devices. Learners will construct a device in response to a problem.
Easy ways to practise science at home
- Go on a nature walk and name what you see: leaves, bugs, clouds, puddles.
- Plant a bean seed and check it together each day.
- Ask “What do you notice?” before you explain anything.
- Talk about the weather each morning and what to wear for it.
What each unit covers
Sky & Seasons
Day and night, the sun, moon and stars (the moon reflects sunlight), and the order of the seasons.
Living Things
Sorting living and non-living things, telling plants from animals, and what living things need to grow.
Animal Survival
Body features (thick fur, webbed feet, shells, camouflage) and behaviours (hibernating, migrating, storing food) that help animals survive.
A Healthy Environment
Living and non-living things in a natural place, why clean air, water and food matter, and simple ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Materials
Describing materials (hard, soft, see-through, waterproof) and choosing the best material for a job, like a raincoat or a window.
Objects & Structures
Structures that hold up a load, what everyday objects are for, how fasteners join things, and where materials such as wood and wool come from.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Needs development
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Developing as expected
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Well developed
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Well developed and extending
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Nova Scotia report card guide.
Common questions
Go on a nature walk and name what you see: leaves, bugs, clouds, puddles. Plant a bean seed and check it together each day. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Nova Scotia Curriculum Grade 1 science units include sky & seasons, living things, animal survival, a healthy environment, materials, objects & structures.
Free printable Grade 1 science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.