Science: Mixed-age Year 1/2

Providing full curriculum coverage for Science and developing the pupils' skills and knowledge across five key areas: Plants, Animals (including humans), Living things and their habitats, Materials and forces and Earth and space.

How it works

Follow the units in the suggested order to ensure a coherent approach to the progression of skills and knowledge in KS1 for the Science scheme of work.

The following strands run through all Science units:

  • Knowledge and understanding.
  • Working scientifically.
  • Science in action.

Kapow Primary Science lessons are designed to be 1 hour and 30 minutes long to reflect the requirements of a core subject.

Choose your unit

The mixed-age units follow a Cycle A and Cycle B format to ensure progression of skills for children across the age range.

Cycle A

Y1/2 (A): Plants: Introduction to plants

Venturing outside, children identify and name a variety of common wild and garden plants, including deciduous and evergreen trees. They use magnifying glasses to observe and name plant parts and sort leaves into groups based on appearance.  Pupils investigate if beans need water for growth and identify edible plant parts.

Y1/2 (A): Forces, Earth and space: Seasonal Changes

Reflecting on their own experiences, children learn about the four seasons and the weather associated with each. Pupils explore how seasonal changes affect trees, daylight hours and our choices about outfits. They plan and carry out their own weather reports, considering the knowledge required for this job. To be published at the end of October 2024.

Y1/2 (A): Living things and their habitats: Habitats

Considering the life processes that all living things have in common, pupils classify objects into alive, was once alive or has never been alive. Pupils explore global habitats, naming plants and animals that can be found there. They learn how a range of different living things depend on each other for food or shelter. To be published at the end of December 2024.

Y1/2 (A): Animals, including humans: Life cycles and health

Studying the life cycles of various animals, children learn what animals need to survive and how they change over time. Pupils collect data that allows them to observe changes in their peers, while also developing their ability to take measurements and record data. They consider how scientific knowledge helps people to make healthy choices. To be published by mid-February 2025.

Y1/2 (A): Plants: Plant growth

Carrying out comparative tests, pupils identify the conditions required for seed germination and compare these to the survival needs of plants in later growth phases. Pupils use rulers to measure stem growth and record data in a table. They use their results to conclude that plants need water, light and a suitable temperature to grow and stay healthy. Children identify the stages in a plant’s life cycle and discover how humans impact plants in the environment. To be published by mid-April 2025.

Y1/2 (A): Making connections

Bringing together pupils’ learning from multiple Science units, helping them to make connections between the key concepts and skills. To be published by the end of May 2025

Cycle B

Y1/2 (B): Animals: Sensitive bodies

Identifying and naming body parts and conducting practical activities with the senses to spot patterns and answer questions.

Y1/2 (B): Materials: Everyday materials

Identifying the difference between objects and materials, children explore their surroundings to find examples of each. They work scientifically by planning tests, making observations and recording data. Pupils use results to answer questions and sort and group materials based on their properties. To be published by the end of October 2024.

Y1/2 (B): Animals, including humans: Comparing animals

Studying both local and global animals, children recognise common characteristics and physical features. They use this information to make comparisons and classify animals. Pupils consider the most effective way to collect data about class pets and record their findings in a block chart.  To be published by the end of December 2024.

Y1/2 (B): Materials: Uses of everyday materials

Building on their knowledge of everyday materials and their properties, pupils recognise that materials are suited to specific purposes and explore how actions such as stretching and bending affect the shape of solid objects. They compare the suitability of materials; gather and record data in tables and block graphs and use their results to answer questions. To be published by mid-February 2025.

Y1/2 (B): Living things and their habitats: Microhabitats

Developing their understanding of scientific enquiry, pupils learn that scientists use a range of skills to answer questions. They discover that microhabitats provide what minibeasts need to survive and carry out a survey to find out where different minibeasts live in the school grounds. They practise asking scientific questions and follow a method to investigate which conditions woodlice prefer. To be published by mid-April 2025.

Y1/2 (B): Making connections

Bringing together pupils’ learning from multiple Science units, helping them to make connections between the key concepts and skills. To be published by the end of May 2025.

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