Mrs Mactivity

Year 1 Science Block 2: Everyday Materials

Year 1 Everyday Materials

Teach everyday materials in Year 1 with a structured six-lesson unit exploring what objects are made from and how materials can be described by their properties. Aligned with the National Curriculum, this unit supports pupils in identifying, naming and comparing common materials using simple scientific vocabulary.

Across the unit, pupils explore materials in the classroom and local environment and take part in practical investigations to test properties such as waterproof, absorbent, bendy and rigid. Download the Year 1 Autumn term overview to see how the lessons are sequenced and how knowledge and enquiry skills build across the unit.

The lessons are designed to be engaging and practical, helping pupils ask questions, explore materials and talk confidently about what they observe.

Looking for more units? Explore the Year 1 science scheme.

View small steps and unit outcomes

Small steps

  • What materials are objects made from?
  • Where do materials come from?
  • Exploring and describing materials
  • Materials from the local environment
  • Testing materials
  • 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 materials based on their simple physical properties

Working scientifically

  • Ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways
  • Use observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Perform simple tests

Year 1 everyday materials lesson plans, activities and worksheets

This Year 1 everyday materials unit includes six fully planned lessons, along with a knowledge organiser and assessment materials to support teaching and tracking pupil progress. It covers the everyday materials Year 1 National Curriculum objectives while helping pupils understand what objects are made from and how materials can be described and compared.

The unit includes worksheets, hands-on activities and practical scientific enquiry, allowing pupils to explore materials, test their properties and begin to group them using simple criteria. It is ideal for teachers looking for Year 1 materials worksheets, materials properties Year 1 activities and structured Year 1 science lesson plans.

Pupils develop confidence in using scientific vocabulary, describing materials and recognising the difference between objects and the materials they are made from.

What’s included?

  • Six fully planned science lessons
  • Interactive teaching slides for whole-class teaching
  • Differentiated Year 1 everyday materials worksheets
  • Knowledge organiser to support vocabulary development
  • Practical investigations exploring material properties
  • Assessment materials to support tracking pupil progress

Working scientifically in Year 1

  • Ask and answer simple questions about materials
  • Observe and describe materials using scientific vocabulary
  • Compare and group materials by simple properties
  • Carry out simple tests such as waterproof or absorbent
  • Record results using drawings, labels and simple tables

Key learning outcomes

  • Distinguish between an object and the material it is made from
  • Identify and name wood, plastic, glass, metal, water and rock
  • Describe materials using simple physical properties
  • Group materials by properties such as hard, soft, bendy and rigid

Why choose this Year 1 everyday materials unit?

  • Aligned with the National Curriculum for KS1 science
  • Clear progression of knowledge and enquiry skills across six lessons
  • Practical investigations linked to real-world materials
  • Differentiated tasks to support mixed ability classes
  • Suitable for flexible use across KS1