Grade 1 Science — Canadian Curriculum Guide
Grade 1 Science introduces young learners to the natural world through exploring living and non-living things, understanding basic needs of organisms, discovering what energy is, examining everyday materials, and observing daily and seasonal changes in their environment.
Curriculum Units
STEM Skills and Connections
1 lesson on BrainQ
Students explore observing, asking questions, making predictions, and more through 1 interactive lesson aligned with the Canadian curriculum.
Lessons included:
- Being a Scientist
Key concepts:
Understanding Life Systems
2 lessons on BrainQ
Students explore living vs non-living, food, water, air, shelter, plants and animals through 2 interactive lessons aligned with the Canadian curriculum.
Lessons included:
- Living and Non-Living Things
- Basic Needs of Living Things
Key concepts:
Understanding Matter and Energy
1 lesson on BrainQ
Students explore sources of energy, light and heat, how energy is used through 1 interactive lesson aligned with the Canadian curriculum.
Lessons included:
- What is Energy?
Key concepts:
Understanding Structures and Mechanisms
1 lesson on BrainQ
Students explore properties of materials, hard, soft, rough, smooth, what objects are made of through 1 interactive lesson aligned with the Canadian curriculum.
Lessons included:
- Objects and Materials
Key concepts:
Understanding Earth and Space Systems
1 lesson on BrainQ
Students explore weather patterns, four seasons, day and night, and more through 1 interactive lesson aligned with the Canadian curriculum.
Lessons included:
- Daily and Seasonal Changes
Key concepts:
What Your Child Will Learn in Grade 1 Science
Distinguish between living and non-living things
Identify the basic needs of living things (food, water, air, shelter)
Understand what energy is and identify sources of energy
Explore properties of everyday objects and materials
Observe and describe daily and seasonal weather changes
Develop basic scientific inquiry skills (observing, questioning, predicting)
Parent Tips for Grade 1 Science
Go on nature walks and ask your child to sort what they find into living and non-living categories.
Track the weather together each day — use a simple chart with drawings to build observation skills.
Grow a plant from seed at home so your child can observe basic needs (water, sunlight, soil) in action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What science topics are taught in Grade 1 in Canada?
Grade 1 Science covers five main areas: scientific inquiry skills, living and non-living things, energy basics, properties of materials, and daily and seasonal changes in the environment.
Do Grade 1 students learn about animals and plants?
Yes. Students learn to identify living things including plants and animals, and understand their basic needs such as food, water, air, and shelter.
What is the STEM strand in Grade 1 Science?
The STEM Skills and Connections strand teaches foundational scientific skills like observing, questioning, predicting, and recording findings — the building blocks of scientific thinking.
Practice Grade 1 Science on BrainQ
AI-powered tutoring, adaptive practice questions, and interactive games — all aligned with the Canadian curriculum.