Mrs Mactivity

Year 1 Science Block 5: Human Body and Senses

Year 1 Human Body and Senses

Teach human body and senses in Year 1 with a structured six-lesson unit exploring body parts, simple organs and the five senses. Aligned with the National Curriculum, this unit supports pupils in identifying, naming, drawing and labelling the basic parts of the human body and understanding how each part is linked to a sense.

Through practical and engaging activities, pupils explore sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell using simple investigations and sensory experiences. They observe closely, ask questions and begin to explain how their body helps them understand the world around them.

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

View small steps and National Curriculum links

Small steps

  • 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 in answering questions

Human body and senses Year 1 lesson plans and worksheets

This Year 1 human body and senses unit includes six fully planned lessons, along with a knowledge organiser and assessment materials to support teaching and tracking pupil progress. It covers the human body and senses Year 1 National Curriculum objectives while helping pupils understand body parts, simple organs and how the five senses work.

The unit includes worksheets, hands-on activities and practical scientific enquiry, allowing pupils to explore sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell through simple investigations. It is ideal for teachers looking for Year 1 body parts worksheets, five senses Year 1 activities and structured Year 1 science lesson plans.

Pupils develop confidence in using scientific vocabulary, describing body parts and understanding how their senses help them observe and interpret the world around them.

What’s included?

  • Six fully planned science lessons
  • Interactive teaching slides for whole-class teaching
  • Differentiated Year 1 human body and senses worksheets
  • Knowledge organiser and assessment materials
  • Activities for naming, drawing and labelling body parts
  • Practical investigations exploring sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell

Working scientifically in Year 1

  • Observe body parts closely and describe what they notice
  • Ask simple questions about the human body and senses
  • Carry out simple tests linked to touch, hearing and other senses
  • Use observations to explain how body parts are linked to each sense
  • Record findings using drawings, labels, notes and simple data

Key learning outcomes

  • Identify and name key external body parts, including head, neck, arms, elbows, legs, knees, face, ears, eyes, hair, mouth and teeth
  • Recognise that some body parts, such as the heart, lungs and brain, are inside the body
  • Match body parts to the five senses
  • Use senses to observe, compare and describe the world around them
  • Carry out simple investigations and use results to answer questions