Year 1 Science Block 2

Download free year 1 Autumn term overview

Year 1
Topic – Everyday Materials

In this block of learning, you will cover the following lessons:

🌡️ Week 1: What Materials Are Objects Made From?
🌡️ Week 2: Where Do Materials Come From?
🌡️ Week 3: Exploring and Describing Materials
🌡️ Week 4: Materials from the Local Environment
🌡️ Week 5: Testing Materials
🌡️ Week 6: Selecting Materials

Unit Outcomes (secure)

Everyday Materials
✅ Distinguish between an object and the material from which it is made
✅ Identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock.
✅ Describe the simple physical properties of a variety of everyday materials.
✅ Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties.

Working scientifically
✅ Using observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
✅ Asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in different ways.
✅ Performing simple tests.

Year 1 Science: Everyday Materials – Explore and Investigate Materials in KS1

Introduce pupils to the world of materials with our Year 1 Everyday Materials science unit, part of the Scintillating Science programme. Aligned with the KS1 science curriculum, this unit helps children identify, name, and describe the properties of common materials through hands-on investigations and structured enquiry.

From testing which materials are waterproof to sorting objects based on their properties, this unit encourages children to explore the materials in their everyday environment. It also builds on early scientific learning from the EYFS and introduces essential scientific language and thinking skills in an engaging way.

What’s included?

Our Year 1 science resources provide everything you need to teach everyday materials in KS1 with confidence:

  • Interactive teaching slides for whole-class input
  • Differentiated Year 1 everyday materials worksheets
  • Knowledge organisers to support vocabulary development
  • Hands-on investigations exploring the properties of materials
  • Assessment tools to monitor pupil understanding

Scientific enquiry and investigation

This unit focuses on working scientifically through active learning. Pupils will:

  • Ask and answer simple scientific questions
  • Observe materials closely using basic equipment
  • Compare and group materials by properties like hardness, flexibility, and transparency
  • Record their findings using drawings, labels, and simple tables
  • Begin to understand the idea of fair testing (introduced informally)

Key learning outcomes

By the end of this unit, pupils will be able to:

  • Distinguish between an object and the material it is made from
  • Identify and name a range of materials such as wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, and rock
  • Describe simple physical properties of everyday materials
  • Sort and group materials based on their characteristics

Lesson structure

This unit is delivered over six weeks and follows a consistent format to support pupil progress:

  • Whole-class teaching – using interactive slides to introduce key ideas
  • Guided activities – practical investigations to explore materials
  • Independent work – differentiated tasks to suit all learners
  • Discussion and reflection – pupils share their findings and observations

Differentiation and assessment

Independent tasks use a three-star system to support children at all levels:

  • ⭐ One star – for pupils working below age-related expectations
  • ⭐⭐ Two stars – for pupils working at the expected level
  • ⭐⭐⭐ Three stars – for pupils exceeding expectations

Formative assessment is embedded in every lesson, including observation checklists, pupil voice opportunities, and end-of-unit tasks. Pupils will apply what they’ve learned in investigations and demonstrate understanding through written and visual work.

Why choose our Year 1 everyday materials unit?

  • Fully aligned with the KS1 science National Curriculum
  • Visually engaging and age-appropriate resources
  • Interactive and practical science activities
  • Differentiated worksheets and support for vocabulary development
  • Built-in assessment to track progress with ease

Get started with Year 1 science

Perfect for teachers looking for KS1 science lesson plans, everyday materials investigations, or Year 1 science worksheets. Start exploring materials today with our hands-on, engaging scheme. Free trial available.