Illinois Science — Grade 1
Comprehensive Course Syllabus
Course Overview
Our Illinois Grade 1 Science course teaches children to think like scientists. It begins with observation, measurement, asking questions, and planning simple investigations, then shows children how to record evidence and explain what they found.
The life science strand covers living and nonliving things, plant parts and needs, plant life cycles, animal needs, traits and adaptations, parents and offspring, habitats and biodiversity, and how plants and animals depend on each other.
The physical science strand covers materials and their properties, solids and liquids, changes such as melting and dissolving, light and shadows, sound and vibrations, and a first look at waves.
The earth and space strand covers sunlight and heating, weather, seasons, and the sky by day and night, followed by Earth’s natural resources and how to care for the environment.
The course closes with engineering design — defining a problem, designing, building, testing, and improving — then integrated investigations and a full year-end review.
Introduction to Science & Scientific Thinking
What Is Science?
Children learn what science is. Science is a way of finding things out.
Scientists
Children learn what scientists do. Scientists ask questions and test ideas.
Observation
Children observe carefully. Observation is where science starts.
Asking Questions
Children ask science questions. Good questions can be tested.
Making Predictions
Children predict what will happen. A prediction is a smart guess.
Scientific Observation & Measurement
Observing Objects
Children observe objects closely. Close looking reveals detail.
Using the Five Senses
Children use their senses. Senses gather information safely.
Comparing Objects
Children compare objects. Comparison shows what is the same and different.
Describing Properties
Children describe properties. Properties tell what something is like.
Simple Measurements
Children take simple measurements. Measuring makes descriptions exact.
Asking Questions & Planning Investigations
Scientific Questions
Children ask scientific questions. Testable questions can be answered.
Predictions
Children make predictions. Predictions guide the investigation.
Investigation Planning
Children plan investigations. A plan makes testing possible.
Fair Tests Introduction
Children meet fair tests. A fair test changes only one thing.
Variables Introduction
Children meet variables. Variables are the things that can change.
Evidence, Patterns & Scientific Communication
Evidence
Children collect evidence. Evidence supports every science claim.
Observations
Children record observations. Observations are the raw facts.
Data
Children gather data. Data is information collected carefully.
Simple Tables
Children make simple tables. Tables organise information neatly.
Drawings
Children draw what they see. Scientific drawings record detail.
Living & Nonliving Things
Living Things
Children identify living things. Living things grow and need food.
Nonliving Things
Children identify nonliving things. Nonliving things do not grow or eat.
Characteristics of Living Things
Children learn what makes something living. Living things share key features.
Growth
Children study growth. All living things grow and change.
Needs
Children learn living things’ needs. All need food, water, and air.
Plants & Their Needs
Parts of a Plant
Children learn plant parts. Each part has a job.
Roots
Children study roots. Roots take in water and hold the plant.
Stems
Children study stems. Stems carry water and hold the plant up.
Leaves
Children study leaves. Leaves make food using sunlight.
Flowers
Children study flowers. Flowers help plants make seeds.
Plant Life Cycles
Seeds
Children study seeds. A seed holds a tiny new plant.
Germination
Children watch germination. Seeds sprout when they get water and warmth.
Seedlings
Children study seedlings. Seedlings are very young plants.
Mature Plants
Children study mature plants. Grown plants can make seeds.
Flowers
Children study flowers. Flowers come before fruit.
Animals & Their Needs
Animal Needs
Children learn animal needs. All animals need certain things to live.
Food
Children learn animals need food. Food gives animals energy.
Water
Children learn animals need water. Every animal must drink.
Air
Children learn animals need air. Animals breathe to live.
Shelter
Children learn animals need shelter. Shelter keeps animals safe.
Animal Traits & Adaptations
Physical Traits
Children study physical traits. Traits are features an animal has.
Body Parts
Children study body parts. Each part helps the animal live.
Fur
Children study fur. Fur keeps animals warm.
Feathers
Children study feathers. Feathers help birds fly and stay warm.
Scales
Children study scales. Scales protect fish and reptiles.
Parents & Offspring
Parents
Children study parent animals. Parents care for their young.
Offspring
Children study offspring. Offspring are the young of parents.
Animal Babies
Children study animal babies. Babies grow into adults.
Similarities
Children find similarities. Young animals look like their parents.
Differences
Children find differences. Young are not exactly like their parents.
Biodiversity & Habitats
Habitats
Children study habitats. A habitat provides everything an organism needs.
Forests
Children study forests. Forests are full of trees and wildlife.
Grasslands
Children study grasslands. Illinois was once tallgrass prairie.
Wetlands
Children study wetlands. Wetlands are wet much of the year.
Deserts
Children study deserts. Deserts are very dry places.
Animal and Plant Interactions
Plants and Animals
Children study plant and animal links. They depend on each other.
Food Relationships
Children study food relationships. Animals eat plants and other animals.
Shelter
Children study shelter. Plants provide homes for many animals.
Pollination Introduction
Children meet pollination. Insects help flowers make seeds.
Seed Dispersal Introduction
Children meet seed dispersal. Seeds travel by wind, water, and animals.
Also Covered in This Course
Teaching Methodology
Our Grade 1 Science classes are hands-on and full of questions. Children observe, test, and explain rather than memorise, and most sessions include something to try at home with simple materials. Children learn through:
Learning Outcomes
By the end of Grade 1, students will be able to:
Assessment & Progress Tracking
Student progress is evaluated through:
Why Choose NextChanakya for Illinois Grade 1 Science?
Standards Note
Grade 1 Science learning in Illinois is guided by the Illinois Learning Standards for Science, which incorporate the Next Generation Science Standards and describe expectations across life science, physical science, earth and space science, and engineering design.
Illinois schools and districts may organise science instruction differently and may use different textbooks, kits, instructional materials, pacing guides, technology, activities, and assessments. The exact sequence and depth of topics may vary by school or educational provider.
This syllabus represents a broad Grade 1 Science pathway designed to support foundational Illinois science learning expectations. It is not the only Grade 1 Science syllabus available, and no specific textbook, kit, assessment, software, or instructional resource is required statewide.
All hands-on activities are designed to use safe, everyday materials and should be carried out with adult supervision. Children are taught never to look directly at the Sun and to follow simple safety rules during every investigation.
It is important to distinguish between the Illinois science learning standards and the course structure created for this educational programme, which organises science into a month-by-month teaching sequence.