Investigating science through stories
Consolidating knowledge of plants and animals through picture books and practical investigations.
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Making connections: Investigating science through stories
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Identify the typical weather associated with each season.
- Describe animal features.
- Recognise similarities and differences between animals in the same animal group.
- Build an animal home with natural materials.
- Explain the difference between carnivores, herbivores and omnivores.
When working scientifically, pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Carry out online research to find answers to questions.
- Measure length in centimetres.
- Suggest how to carry out a waterproof test.
- Begin to recognise if a test is fair.
- Use data to answer questions.
- Recognise patterns in data.
- Group birds according to their diet.
Please note that Kapow Primary Science lessons are designed to be 1 hour and 30 minutes long to reflect the requirements of a core subject.
Suggested prior learning
This unit revises and builds on learning from the previous Year 1 units.Lessons
Lesson 1: Do taller trees have wider trunks?
Knowledge
- To observe changes across the seasons.
Working scientifically
- To spot patterns in data.
Lesson 2: Comparing woodland animals
Knowledge
- To describe and compare the features of animals.
Working scientifically
- To carry out research to find specific information.
Lesson 3: Measuring animal footprints
Knowledge
- To identify differences in animal features.
Working scientifically
- To use a ruler to measure.
Lesson 4: Building an animal home
Knowledge
- To describe the properties of everyday materials.
Working scientifically
- To plan how to carry out a test.
Lesson 5: Are birds carnivores, herbivores or omnivores?
- To identify animals that are carnivores, herbivores and omnivores.
Key skills
Key knowledge
Related content
Unit resources

Y1 Science knowledge organisers
A complete collection of the Year 1 Knowledge organisers. The Making connections units do not have new Knowledge organisers as…

Vocabulary display: Making connections: Investigating science through stories
A display version of the key vocabulary from the 'Making connections: Investigating science through stories' unit.
Cross-curricular opportunities
Computing: Using devices to retrieve digital content.
Maths: Comparing and measuring length.
English: Listening to poems and stories and using phonic knowledge to spell.
Music: Listening to and joining in with songs.
Geography: Carrying out fieldwork on the school grounds.
British values – mutual respect.