Year 1 Science Block 4 Common Plants

Year 1 Topic – Common Plants

Help pupils understand the living world with this engaging Year 1 science unit on common plants. Children explore plant parts, trees, wild plants and seeds through hands-on enquiry, observation and classification, developing secure knowledge of how plants grow and change.

View small steps and unit outcomes

Small steps

  • 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

Unit Outcomes (secure)

Common 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

Year 1 Science: Common Plants – Explore Seeds, Trees and Flowers

Support children in building their early botanical knowledge with our Year 1 Common Plants science unit, part of the Scintillating Science programme. This unit focuses on recognising wild and garden plants, comparing deciduous and evergreen trees, and understanding how seeds grow into plants and trees. Pupils are encouraged to observe, classify and record data, while using correct scientific vocabulary.

What’s included?

Everything you need to teach Year 1 science: common plants confidently:

  • Interactive teaching slides for each lesson
  • Differentiated Year 1 plant worksheets
  • Knowledge organisers and assessment materials
  • Outdoor observation and tree classification activities
  • Opportunities to investigate plant structure, seeds and growth

Scientific enquiry and investigation

Pupils are given the chance to think like scientists as they:

  • Compare deciduous and evergreen trees in the local environment
  • Identify and label the parts of a flowering plant
  • Carry out simple surveys and present results in charts
  • Observe how seeds change as they grow

Key learning outcomes

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

  • Name and describe common UK wild and garden plants
  • Recognise and compare deciduous and evergreen trees
  • Identify the main parts of a flowering plant
  • Explain how trees and plants grow from seeds

Lesson structure

This six-lesson unit builds progressively over time:

  • Whole-class teaching – introducing plant knowledge and vocabulary
  • Hands-on exploration – practical surveys, seed planting and tree studies
  • Independent work – differentiated worksheets and drawing tasks
  • Reflection – discussions, classification and retrieval questions

Differentiation and assessment

Independent tasks follow a three-star differentiation model:

  • ⭐ For children working below age-related expectations
  • ⭐⭐ For children working at the expected level
  • ⭐⭐⭐ For children exceeding expectations

Assessment is integrated through observation, questioning, and written tasks, supported by an end-of-unit assessment.

Why choose our Year 1 Common Plants unit?

  • Fully aligned with the National Curriculum
  • Engaging, practical and age-appropriate resources
  • Encourages both indoor and outdoor scientific enquiry
  • Includes planning, slides, worksheets and assessments

Try it in your classroom

Looking for Year 1 Common Plants worksheets, KS1 science activities on plants or a science unit on trees and seeds? This unit has it all – including differentiated resources, knowledge organisers and full lesson planning. Free trial available.