Year 1 Science Curriculum at a Glance

Year 1 science curriculum at a glance is a bright, practical 2-page printable resource designed to give teachers, parents and home educators a clear overview of the Year 1 science curriculum in an easy-to-read poster format. This resource brings together the main curriculum aims, working scientifically expectations, key teaching points and the four main Year 1 science content areas, helping adults see the bigger picture at a glance. It includes one page focused on curriculum aims, enquiry skills and teaching approaches, and a second page focused on the core Year 1 topics: Plants, Animals Including Humans, Everyday Materials and Seasonal Changes.

If you want a resource that makes science coverage feel more manageable, this year 1 science curriculum at a glance pack is a useful addition to your planning toolkit. It is ideal for keeping in your planning folder, displaying in a staff area, using during curriculum conversations or referring to when mapping out your science teaching across the year.

Why Choose Year 1 Science Curriculum at a Glance?

This resource has been created to save time while still giving you meaningful curriculum support. Rather than searching through long documents, you can quickly refer to a clear visual summary that highlights what Year 1 pupils need to learn and how science should be taught.

The first poster helps keep the wider purpose of science teaching visible. It outlines curriculum aims, reminds adults that working scientifically should be embedded within science content, and highlights the importance of practical enquiry, discussion and accurate scientific language. It also includes examples of simple scientific questions and enquiry opportunities such as observing, classifying, testing and recording data.

The second poster breaks down the main Year 1 science units into a simple, usable overview. Each area includes a key focus, helpful “weave in” suggestions and a practical top tip, making it easier to connect curriculum knowledge with hands-on classroom practice.

How Year 1 Science Curriculum at a Glance Supports Science Teaching

A strong Year 1 science curriculum should do more than cover facts. It should help children observe the world around them, ask questions, notice change, compare materials and begin using simple scientific language with confidence. This resource supports that process by making the curriculum clear and accessible for the adults guiding learning.

Because the posters are organised visually, they are especially useful for busy teachers who want to check coverage quickly, for ECTs building confidence in science planning, and for home educators who want a simple overview without unnecessary jargon. The structure also makes it easier to spot links between content knowledge and working scientifically skills.

This year 1 science curriculum at a glance resource supports adults in planning opportunities for children to:

• ask simple scientific questions
• observe closely using simple equipment
• carry out simple tests
• identify and classify
• use observations to answer questions
• gather and record data

These are all presented within the resource in a child-friendly, practical way, helping science feel active, enquiry-based and rooted in first-hand experience.

Ways to Use Year 1 Science Curriculum at a Glance

This resource is flexible and easy to use across different settings.

In school, it can be printed and added to planning folders, science leader files, staffroom displays or curriculum overviews. It works well as a quick-reference poster during lesson planning, medium-term mapping and subject leader discussions.

At home, it can help parents and home educators understand what is covered in Year 1 science and plan linked activities, nature walks, simple investigations and vocabulary work. It is also helpful for tutoring and intervention support where adults want a clear sense of curriculum expectations.

You could use this year 1 science curriculum at a glance resource to:

• support long-term and medium-term science planning
• keep Year 1 science coverage visible
• guide topic sequencing and curriculum discussions
• prompt practical science activities
• support non-specialists with curriculum confidence
• share science expectations more clearly with families or colleagues

What’s Included in Year 1 Science Curriculum at a Glance

This printable pack includes 2 Year 1 science curriculum overview posters.

Page 1 includes:

• curriculum aims for science
• working scientifically guidance
• building language reminders
• KS1 core focus
• examples of scientific questioning and enquiry
• teaching reminders for practical science provision

Page 2 includes:

• Plants
• Animals, Including Humans
• Everyday Materials
• Seasonal Changes

Each topic section includes a key focus, ideas to weave in during teaching, and a top tip for practical delivery. For example, the poster encourages using real plants and the local environment, first-hand experiences and visuals, real objects for materials work, and daily weather observations across the year.

Perfect For

This year 1 science curriculum at a glance resource is ideal for:

• Year 1 teachers
• KS1 teachers
• ECTs and trainee teachers
• primary science leads
• tutors
• parents supporting learning at home
• home educators
• SEN support where visual curriculum overviews are helpful

It is particularly useful for anyone looking for a practical, visually engaging way to keep Year 1 science content and enquiry skills in view throughout the year.

This resource combines curriculum clarity with classroom practicality, making it easier to plan meaningful science experiences without overcomplicating the process. Warm, visual and easy to follow, it is a supportive planning companion for anyone teaching or supporting Year 1 science.