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Browse by Grade: 1st Year

Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications

1st Year Young Explorers: Discovering Our World

A foundational science course for Year 1 students that emphasizes hands-on inquiry and observation. Students investigate the living world, the properties of materials, and the physical forces that shape their daily experiences.

6 units·37 topics·Ages 12-13

01The Living World: Plants and Animals

6 topics·Autumn Term

Students explore the diversity of living things and identify the basic needs required for survival and growth.

Identifying Living and Non-Living

Students will classify objects as living, non-living, or once-living based on observable characteristics and discuss their reasoning.

Stations RotationExperiential LearningThink-Pair-Share
Plant Parts and Their Functions

Students will identify and label the main parts of a plant (roots, stem, leaves, flower) and explain the role of each part in the plant's survival.

Inquiry CircleGallery WalkExperiential Learning
Plant Life Cycles: From Seed to Plant

Students will observe and sequence the stages of a plant's life cycle, from seed germination to mature plant, through hands-on activities.

Simulation GameExperiential LearningTimeline Challenge
Animal Homes and Survival Needs

Students will investigate various animal habitats and discuss how these environments provide essential resources like food, water, and shelter.

Museum ExhibitInquiry CircleExperiential Learning
Animal Classification: Grouping Animals

Students will sort animals into simple groups (e.g., mammals, birds, fish, insects) based on observable physical characteristics.

Stations RotationConcept MappingGallery Walk
Caring for Our Environment

Students will explore simple ways to protect local environments and discuss the importance of keeping natural spaces clean for plants and animals.

Carousel BrainstormProject-Based LearningTown Hall Meeting

02Ourselves: Senses and Growth

6 topics·Autumn Term

An exploration of the human body, focusing on how we use our senses to perceive the world and how we change as we grow.

Exploring with Our Five Senses

Students will engage in activities using each of their five senses to gather information about different objects and environments.

Stations RotationInquiry CircleCase Study Analysis
Sense Detectives: Solving Mysteries

Students will use their senses to identify mystery objects or sounds, emphasizing observation skills and sensory discrimination.

Document MysteryExperiential LearningThink-Pair-Share
Growing Up: Changes Over Time

Students will compare their current abilities and physical characteristics to those when they were younger, recognizing patterns of growth.

Case Study AnalysisRole PlayGallery Walk
Healthy Eating Habits

Students will identify different food groups and discuss the importance of eating a balanced diet for energy and growth.

Carousel BrainstormRole PlayPlacemat Activity
The Importance of Exercise

Students will participate in various physical activities and observe how exercise affects their bodies, emphasizing the benefits of movement.

Experiential LearningStations RotationThink-Pair-Share
Good Hygiene Practices

Students will learn and practice essential hygiene routines like handwashing and teeth brushing, understanding their role in preventing illness.

Role PlaySimulation GamePeer Teaching

03Materials and Their Properties

5 topics·Autumn Term

Investigating the characteristics of everyday materials and how their properties determine their uses.

Observing Material Properties

Students will use descriptive language to categorize materials based on their texture, hardness, flexibility, and appearance.

Stations RotationInquiry Circle
Testing Material Strength and Flexibility

Students will conduct simple tests to compare the strength and flexibility of different materials, recording their observations.

Experiential LearningCollaborative Problem-SolvingDecision Matrix
Changes Caused by Heating and Cooling

Students will observe and describe changes in materials when heated or cooled, such as melting ice or hardening clay.

Inquiry CircleCase Study AnalysisSimulation Game
Changes Caused by Bending and Stretching

Students will experiment with bending, stretching, and twisting various materials to observe how their shapes can be altered.

Experiential LearningStations RotationThink-Pair-Share
Designing with Materials

Students will apply their understanding of material properties to design and build a simple object for a specific purpose.

Problem-Based LearningCollaborative Problem-SolvingGallery Walk

04Energy: Light and Sound

6 topics·Spring Term

Discovering the sources of light and sound and how they travel through our environment.

Sources of Light

Students will identify natural and artificial sources of light and discuss their importance in daily life.

Inquiry CircleGallery WalkPeer Teaching
Creating Shadows

Students will experiment with light sources and objects to create shadows, observing how their size and shape change.

Experiential LearningStations RotationSimulation Game
Vibrations and Sound

Students will explore how sounds are produced by vibrations through hands-on activities with musical instruments and everyday objects.

Inquiry CircleStations RotationExperiential Learning
Sound Travel and Pitch

Students will investigate how sound travels through different materials and explore the concept of high and low pitch.

Stations RotationInquiry CircleCase Study Analysis
Loud and Quiet Sounds

Students will identify and categorize sounds as loud or quiet, discussing how sound intensity affects their environment.

Case Study AnalysisExperiential LearningFishbowl Discussion
Sound Safety: Protecting Our Ears

Students will learn about the importance of protecting their ears from very loud sounds and identify safe listening practices.

Role PlayCarousel BrainstormThink-Pair-Share

05Forces: Pushes and Pulls

6 topics·Spring Term

An introduction to forces and how they affect the movement and shape of objects.

Identifying Pushes and Pulls

Students will identify and demonstrate pushes and pulls in various everyday activities, observing their effects on objects.

Inquiry CircleStations RotationExperiential Learning
Making Objects Move Faster or Slower

Students will experiment with applying different amounts of force to objects to observe changes in their speed and direction.

Experiential LearningStations RotationCollaborative Problem-Solving
Exploring Magnets

Students will investigate the properties of magnets, identifying which materials are attracted to them and exploring magnetic fields.

Stations RotationInquiry CircleCase Study Analysis
Magnetic Attraction and Repulsion

Students will experiment with two magnets to observe how they can attract or repel each other, understanding the concept of poles.

Experiential LearningStations RotationThink-Pair-Share
Why Things Float or Sink

Students will test various objects in water to determine if they float or sink, discussing the properties that influence this behavior.

Inquiry CircleCollaborative Problem-Solving
Designing a Floating Boat

Students will use different materials to design and build a small boat that can float and carry a load, applying their understanding of buoyancy.

Project-Based LearningProblem-Based LearningDecision Matrix

06Earth and Sky: Seasons and Weather

8 topics·Summer Term

Observing patterns in the weather and the environment across the four seasons.

Characteristics of the Seasons

Students will identify and describe the distinct characteristics of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter through observation and discussion.

Gallery WalkStations RotationRole Play
Seasonal Activities and Clothing

Students will discuss and illustrate activities and clothing appropriate for each season, connecting weather patterns to human behavior.

Carousel BrainstormRole PlayThink-Pair-Share
Observing Daily Weather

Students will observe and record daily weather conditions using simple terms and symbols, recognizing common weather phenomena.

Case Study AnalysisDecision MatrixExperiential Learning
Measuring Weather: Rain and Wind

Students will use simple tools like rain gauges and wind socks to measure and compare local weather conditions over time.

Experiential LearningInquiry CircleStations Rotation
The Cycle of Day and Night

Students will explore the concept of day and night, understanding that the sun provides light during the day and the moon is visible at night.

Gallery WalkSimulation GameConcept Mapping
Observing the Moon and Stars

Students will observe and describe the appearance of the moon and stars in the night sky, recognizing simple patterns.

Museum ExhibitInquiry CircleThink-Pair-Share
Water Cycle: Rain and Clouds

Students will explore the basic concept of the water cycle, focusing on how water evaporates, forms clouds, and falls as rain.

Simulation GameConcept MappingExperiential Learning
Protecting Our Planet

Students will discuss simple actions they can take to care for the Earth, such as recycling and conserving water.

Carousel BrainstormProject-Based LearningTown Hall Meeting