Grade 1 Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 1 science in the Alberta Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Matter: objects have measurable properties, such as length, area and weight, and some physical changes can be made to them.
- Energy: objects, people and animals move in different directions, pathways and speeds.
- Earth and space: the seasons bring changes to environments, plants and animals, and affect our daily choices.
- Living systems: plants and animals need food, water, air and shelter, and people depend on them and can help care for them.
- Computer science: following instructions step by step, in order, helps us do tasks and stay safe.
- Scientific methods: scientists describe the steps of an investigation and make predictions, observations and conclusions.
Easy ways to practise science at home
- Go on a nature walk and name what you see: leaves, bugs, clouds, puddles.
- Plant a bean seed and check it together each day.
- Ask “What do you notice?” before you explain anything.
- Talk about the weather each morning and what to wear for it.
What each unit covers
Think Like a Scientist
How scientists and engineers work: choosing tools, running fair tests, following safety rules, sharing findings, and giving clear step-by-step instructions (code).
Length, Area & Weight
Objects have properties we can measure: how long, how much flat space they cover (area) and how heavy they are. Children compare objects directly and see how bending, cutting, stretching and squishing change an object.
How Things Move
Children describe how objects and animals move: the direction, the pathway (straight, curved, zigzag, circle) and the speed. They see that a push, a surface or a ramp changes the movement.
Seasons in Alberta
The four seasons in Alberta, signs of change in the local environment, how plants and animals respond (migration and hibernation), and how seasons shape clothing and activities.
Animal Survival
Body features (thick fur, webbed feet, shells, camouflage) and behaviours (hibernating, migrating, storing food) that help animals survive.
Living Things
Sorting living and non-living things, telling plants from animals, and what living things need to grow.
Alberta Plants & Animals
Plants and animals live in many places in Alberta, such as mountains, prairies, forests, and lakes and rivers. Each needs food, water, air and shelter, and people can help meet those needs.
A Healthy Environment
Living and non-living things in a natural place, why clean air, water and food matter, and simple ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Follow the Steps
Instructions have steps, and the order of the steps matters. Children follow and order simple steps, as a first look at the thinking behind coding.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Alberta report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 1 child with science?
Go on a nature walk and name what you see: leaves, bugs, clouds, puddles. Plant a bean seed and check it together each day. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Grade 1 science in Alberta?
The Alberta Curriculum Grade 1 science units include think like a scientist, length, area & weight, how things move, seasons in alberta, animal survival, living things.
Free printable Grade 1 science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.