Grade 1 Introduction to Science

Lesson Plan: Introduction to Science and Observation Skills

Grade Level: Grade 1

Subject: Science (Environmental Studies)

Duration: 2 Weeks (10 class periods, 40 minutes each)

Objectives:

By the end of the two weeks, students will be able to:

  1. Understand what science is and how it helps us learn about the world.
  2. Use their senses (sight, touch, sound, smell) to observe objects and living things.
  3. Describe simple observations using words like big, small, soft, loud, etc.
  4. Identify and name common plants, animals, and objects around them.
  5. Sort and group objects based on observable features (e.g., color, size, shape).
  6. Ask simple questions about the world and share their ideas.

Materials Needed:

  • Everyday objects (e.g., leaf, stone, feather, ball, bell)
  • Pictures or flashcards of plants (e.g., mango tree), animals (e.g., cow), and objects (e.g., chair)
  • Magnifying glasses (optional, for close observation)
  • Paper cups, water, and seeds (e.g., moong dal) for planting activity
  • Crayons, paper, and glue for drawing and sorting activities
  • A small plant or flowerpot for classroom observation
  • Whiteboard/markers or blackboard/chalk
  • Worksheets with simple observation tasks (e.g., tick, draw)
  • Storybook about nature (e.g., "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" or a local tale)

Week 1: What is Science? Using Our Senses

Day 1: Introduction to Science

Objective: Understand that science is about exploring the world.
Activities:

  1. Warm-Up (5 min): Ask: "What do you see outside the window?" List responses (e.g., trees, birds).
  2. Direct Instruction (10 min):
    • Say: "Science is how we learn about everything around us—like plants, animals, and even the sky!"
    • Show a leaf and ask: "What can we find out about this?" (e.g., green, soft).
  3. Activity (15 min): Mystery Bag
    • Put objects (e.g., stone, feather, bell) in a bag. Students reach in, feel, and guess without looking. Discuss: "How did you know?"
  4. Story (5 min): Tell a short story: "Raju saw a bird and wondered why it flies. That’s science—asking questions!"
  5. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What do you want to learn about?"
    Homework: Draw one thing you see at home (e.g., a flower).

Day 2: Observing with Sight

Objective: Use eyes to observe and describe objects.
Activities:

  1. Recap (5 min): Review: "What is science?" Show homework drawings.
  2. Direct Instruction (10 min):
    • Say: "We use our eyes to see colors, shapes, and sizes."
    • Show a leaf, ball, and stone. Ask: "What do you see? Is it big or small? Round or flat?"
  3. Activity (15 min): I Spy
    • Play "I Spy" in the classroom: "I spy something red and round." Students guess (e.g., ball).
    • Students take turns giving clues.
  4. Worksheet (5 min): Draw and color an object they see (e.g., "Draw a green tree").
  5. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What did you see today that was new?"
    Homework: Find 3 colorful things at home and name them.

Day 3: Observing with Touch

Objective: Use touch to explore textures and shapes.
Activities:

  1. Warm-Up (5 min): Sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" to focus on senses.
  2. Direct Instruction (10 min):
    • Say: "We can feel things with our hands—smooth, rough, soft, hard."
    • Pass around a feather, stone, and cotton ball. Ask: "How does it feel?"
  3. Activity (15 min): Texture Hunt
    • Students touch classroom objects (e.g., desk, book, cloth) and say: "It’s smooth!" or "It’s rough!"
    • Pair up to describe one object to a partner.
  4. Game (5 min): Feel and Guess
    • Blindfold one student (optional) to feel an object and guess (e.g., leaf).
  5. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What felt soft today?"
    Homework: Touch 2 things at home (e.g., blanket, spoon) and tell someone how they feel.

Day 4: Observing with Sound

Objective: Use ears to listen and describe sounds.
Activities:

  1. Recap (5 min): Review touch observations from homework.
  2. Direct Instruction (10 min):
    • Say: "Our ears help us hear sounds—loud, soft, high, low."
    • Ring a bell, clap hands, and tap a desk. Ask: "Is it loud or soft?"
  3. Activity (15 min): Sound Walk
    • Take students outside (or around the room). Listen for 1 minute. List sounds (e.g., birds, wind, footsteps).
    • Back in class, mimic sounds (e.g., "Chirp chirp!”).
  4. Worksheet (5 min): Tick pictures of things that make sound (e.g., bell, dog).
  5. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What’s your favorite sound?"
    Homework: Listen for 2 sounds at home (e.g., fan, TV) and draw them.

Day 5: Observing with Smell

Objective: Use the sense of smell to explore the world.
Activities:

  1. Warm-Up (5 min): Review sounds from homework with quick drawings.
  2. Direct Instruction (10 min):
    • Say: "Our nose helps us smell—sweet, spicy, bad."
    • Show safe items (e.g., flower, lemon, soap). Ask: "What does it smell like?"
  3. Activity (15 min): Smell Jars
    • Prepare cups with items (e.g., mint leaf, orange peel). Students smell and guess.
    • Discuss: "Is it nice or not?"
  4. Game (5 min): Smell Match
    • Match smells to pictures (e.g., flower to rose picture).
  5. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What smells good to you?"
    Homework: Name one smell from the kitchen (e.g., rice, masala).

Week 2: Observing Nature and Sorting

Day 6: Observing Plants

Objective: Observe and describe plants around us.
Activities:

  1. Recap (5 min): Review senses: "What did we use our nose for?"
  2. Direct Instruction (10 min):
    • Show a small plant. Say: "Plants grow around us—trees, grass, flowers."
    • Ask: "What do you see? Leaves? Stem? Color?"
  3. Activity (15 min): Plant Hunt
    • Go outside (or use classroom plant). Students observe and draw one plant part (e.g., leaf).
    • Use magnifying glass if available.
  4. Story (5 min): Read a short plant story (e.g., "The Tiny Seed").
  5. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What plant do you like?"
    Homework: Draw a tree or flower you see near home.

Day 7: Observing Animals

Objective: Observe and name common animals.
Activities:

  1. Warm-Up (5 min): Review plant drawings and name parts (leaf, flower).
  2. Direct Instruction (10 min):
    • Show pictures (e.g., cow, dog, bird). Say: "Animals live around us. Some fly, some walk."
    • Ask: "What do you see? Fur? Wings?"
  3. Activity (15 min): Animal Sounds
    • Students mimic animal sounds (e.g., "Moo” for cow) and describe: "Big or small? Fast or slow?"
    • Draw one animal they like.
  4. Game (5 min): Who Am I?
    • Teacher gives clues: "I have wings and chirp." Students guess (bird).
  5. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What animal do you see at home?"
    Homework: Name 2 animals you saw today.

Day 8: Sorting Objects

Objective: Group objects based on features.
Activities:

  1. Recap (5 min): Review animals: "What sound does a cat make?"
  2. Direct Instruction (10 min):
    • Show mixed objects (e.g., leaves, stones, buttons). Say: "We can sort things by color, size, or type."
    • Sort leaves (green) and stones (gray) as an example.
  3. Activity (15 min): Sorting Game
    • Give students objects (e.g., beads, seeds). They sort into groups (e.g., red beads, big seeds).
    • Share: "Why did you group them like this?"
  4. Worksheet (5 min): Circle objects that go together (e.g., all round things).
  5. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What else can we sort?"
    Homework: Sort 5 things at home (e.g., spoons, toys) and tell someone.

Day 9: Growing and Observing

Objective: Observe changes in a simple experiment.
Activities:

  1. Warm-Up (5 min): Review sorting: "What did you sort at home?"
  2. Direct Instruction (10 min):
    • Say: "Science helps us watch things change—like plants growing!"
    • Show moong seeds and water. Ask: "What might happen?"
  3. Activity (15 min): Plant a Seed
    • Students put moong seeds in a cup with wet cotton. Label with their name.
    • Predict: "Will it grow? What will we see?"
  4. Discussion (5 min): Talk about caring for plants (water, sun).
  5. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What do seeds need to grow?"
    Homework: Check seed daily and draw what you see tomorrow.

Day 10: Review and Sharing Observations

Objective: Reflect on observations and share learning.
Activities:

  1. Warm-Up (5 min): Sing a senses song: "I see with my eyes, I hear with my ears…"
  2. Review (15 min): Observation Show
    • Check seed cups. Students describe: "It’s green! It’s tall!"
    • Share drawings from Day 9 and compare changes.
  3. Activity (15 min): Science Booklet
    • Students make a mini-book: Draw 1 plant, 1 animal, and 1 object they observed. Label with simple words (e.g., "big tree").
  4. Wrap-Up (5 min): Ask: "What did you learn about science?" Celebrate with a cheer.
    Homework: Tell a family member one thing you observed this week.

Assessment:

  • Formative: Participation in activities, verbal descriptions (e.g., "soft feather"), and homework drawings.
  • Summative: Day 10 booklet (scored out of 6: 2 for plant, 2 for animal, 2 for object with labels).
  • Observation: Ability to use senses and sort objects during tasks.

Extensions:

  • Field Trip: Short walk outside to observe plants/animals (e.g., school garden).
  • Craft: Make a “Senses Chart” with drawings for each sense.
  • Guest: Invite a gardener or parent to talk about plants/animals.

Notes for Teachers:

  • Keep language simple and repeat key words (e.g., "observe," "see," "feel").
  • Use local examples (e.g., mango tree, crow) to connect to students’ lives.
  • Ensure safety with smell/touch items (avoid allergens, sharp objects).
  • Encourage questions and praise curiosity to build scientific thinking.

This two-week plan introduces science as an exciting exploration of the world, using senses and hands-on tasks to develop observation skills. Let me know if you’d like adjustments or more details!

Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvmF9OWrXWA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAJ8IF4HI20