Grade 1 Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 1 science in the Prince Edward Island Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Skills and Process of Science (SP).
- Physical Science - Materials, Objects and our Senses (PS).
- Life Science (LS): Needs and Characteristics of Living Things.
- Earth and Space Science (ESS): Daily and Seasonal Changes.
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
Think Like a Scientist
How scientists and engineers work: choosing tools, running fair tests, following safety rules, sharing findings, and giving clear step-by-step instructions (code).
Tools & Technology
Practises choosing tools to observe and measure, working safely and with curiosity, noticing that people make technologies to meet needs, and connecting science to jobs and taking care of our environment.
Our Bodies & Senses
The five senses, the body part linked to each, and the jobs of the heart, lungs, brain, bones and stomach.
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.
Toy Makers
Practises choosing scrap materials for a model or toy, and thinking about which materials work best for each part.
Living Things
Sorting living and non-living things, telling plants from animals, and what living things need to grow.
What Living Things Need
The six basic needs of living things (air, water, food, heat, shelter and space) and how plants, animals and people help each other.
Animal Survival
Body features (thick fur, webbed feet, shells, camouflage) and behaviours (hibernating, migrating, storing food) that help animals survive.
Sky & Seasons
Day and night, the sun, moon and stars (the moon reflects sunlight), and the order of the seasons.
Four Seasons
Practises describing each of the four seasons: the weather, what people wear and do, and what plants and animals do.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- 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 PEI 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 Prince Edward Island Curriculum Grade 1 science units include think like a scientist, tools & technology, our bodies & senses, materials, objects & structures, toy makers.
Free printable Grade 1 science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.