Mrs Mactivity

Year 1 Science Block 5: Human Body and Senses

Year 1 science – Human Body and Senses

This Year 1 human body and senses unit helps pupils explore how the human body works through practical investigations and sensory experiences. Across six engaging lessons, pupils identify body parts, investigate the five senses and begin understanding how humans use sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell to explore the world around them.

Aligned with the National Curriculum, the unit encourages pupils to observe closely, ask scientific questions and make simple comparisons through hands-on enquiry activities. Pupils draw and label body parts, investigate how senses respond to different stimuli and begin using scientific vocabulary to explain their observations.

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 and naming basic body parts
  • Exploring body parts inside the body
  • Observing and drawing body parts closely
  • Matching body parts to the five senses
  • Exploring the sense of touch through simple tests
  • Exploring the sense of hearing through practical investigations

National Curriculum objectives

Animals, including humans

  • Identify, name, draw and label the basic parts of the human body
  • Say which part of the body is associated with each sense

Working scientifically

  • Ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways
  • Observe closely, using simple equipment
  • Perform simple tests
  • Use observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Gather and record data to help answer questions

What this Year 1 human body and senses unit covers

This Year 1 science unit helps pupils develop understanding of the human body and the five senses through practical exploration and sensory investigations. Pupils learn how body parts are linked to sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell while developing confidence in observation, discussion and scientific questioning.

Through hands-on activities and simple comparative tests, pupils investigate how their senses help them interpret and respond to the world around them. Lessons encourage close observation, drawing, labelling and discussion while helping pupils build secure scientific vocabulary linked to body parts and sensory experiences.

The unit supports progression in working scientifically skills by encouraging pupils to ask questions, gather simple evidence and use observations to explain what they notice during investigations.

What’s included?

  • Six fully planned science lessons
  • Interactive teaching slides for whole-class teaching
  • Differentiated worksheets and sensory investigation activities
  • Knowledge organiser and assessment materials
  • Practical activities linked to body parts and the five senses
  • Opportunities for drawing, labelling and scientific discussion

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