Mrs Mactivity

Year 1 Science Block 4: Common Plants

Year 1 science – Common Plants

This Year 1 common plants unit helps pupils investigate the variety of plants and trees found in their local environment while developing early understanding of plant structure and growth. Across six lessons, pupils explore wild and garden plants, compare leaves and trees, and discover how seeds develop into mature plants over time.

Aligned with the National Curriculum, the unit encourages pupils to explore the natural world through outdoor observation, classification activities and practical scientific enquiry. Pupils learn to identify deciduous and evergreen trees, describe the basic parts of flowering plants and use scientific vocabulary to communicate their observations confidently.

Part of our comprehensive Scintillating Science scheme, this unit includes lesson plans, interactive teaching slides, differentiated worksheets, practical investigations and assessment materials to support engaging Year 1 science teaching.

Looking for the full Year 1 science curriculum?

Visit our main Year 1 science page to explore curriculum coverage, progression and long-term planning.

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View lesson overview and curriculum coverage

Lessons in this unit

  • Identifying common plants in the UK
  • Exploring deciduous and evergreen trees
  • Comparing leaf structures
  • Gathering and recording tree data
  • Identifying parts of a flowering plant
  • Learning how trees grow from seeds

National Curriculum objectives

Plants

  • Identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees
  • Identify and describe the basic structure of a variety of common flowering plants, including trees
  • Observe and describe how seeds and trees grow over time

Working scientifically

  • Observing closely, using simple equipment
  • Identifying and classifying
  • Gathering and recording data
  • Using observations to suggest answers to questions

What this Year 1 common plants unit covers

This Year 1 science unit supports pupils in developing understanding of plants, trees and growth through outdoor exploration and practical scientific enquiry. Pupils investigate how plants can be grouped and identified while learning about the structures and features that help plants survive and grow.

Through hands-on activities and local environment studies, pupils compare leaves, identify flowering plants and explore the differences between deciduous and evergreen trees. Lessons encourage close observation and discussion while helping pupils connect scientific learning to the natural world around them.

The unit also develops early working scientifically skills, including observing over time, gathering data, identifying patterns and recording findings using charts, labelled diagrams and simple tables.

What’s included?

  • Six fully planned science lessons
  • Interactive teaching slides for whole-class teaching
  • Differentiated worksheets and practical investigation activities
  • Knowledge organiser and assessment materials
  • Outdoor observation and tree survey activities
  • Tasks exploring leaves, plant structure, seeds and growth

This unit forms part of our wider Scintillating Science scheme, supporting progression from EYFS science through to KS1 science.