Here are 36 unit study ideas for grade 1:
Recommended age: 6 years old
Week 1: Colors
- Learn about primary colors and how they can be mixed to create secondary colors
- Conduct color-mixing experiments with paint, food coloring, or other materials
- Read books or watch videos about colors and color theory
Week 2: Animals
- Explore different animal habitats and the animals that live in them
- Learn about animal life cycles, such as the butterfly or frog life cycle
- Visit a zoo or aquarium, or watch virtual tours of animal exhibits
Week 3: Community Helpers
- Identify different community helpers and their roles in society
- Discuss the importance of teamwork and how community helpers work together to keep our communities safe and functioning
- Plan a visit from a local community helper, such as a police officer or firefighter
Week 4: Seasons
- Discuss the four seasons and the changes that occur during each one
- Learn about how weather patterns and temperature change during each season
- Create art or crafts that represent each season, such as paper snowflakes or painted fall leaves
Week 5: Plants
- Learn about plant parts and their functions, such as leaves, stems, and roots
- Explore different types of plants, such as flowers, trees, and vegetables
- Conduct experiments to learn about plant growth and how plants absorb water and nutrients
Week 6: Maps
- Learn about different types of maps, such as world maps, road maps, and topographic maps
- Practice reading and using a map, including finding locations and following directions
- Create your own map of a favorite place or imaginary land
Week 7: Food
- Learn about healthy eating habits and the different food groups
- Plan a menu and grocery list for a healthy meal
- Cook a simple recipe together as a class or at home
Week 8: Oceans
- Learn about the different oceans and the creatures that live in them
- Discuss the importance of ocean conservation and ways to protect marine life
- Create ocean-themed art or crafts, such as paper plate jellyfish or tissue paper seaweed
Week 9: Insects
- Learn about the characteristics of insects and the different types of insects
- Explore the role of insects in pollination and food chains
- Observe insects in their natural habitats or create an ant farm or butterfly garden
Week 10: Transportation
- Learn about different modes of transportation, such as cars, planes, and trains
- Discuss the history of transportation and how it has changed over time
- Build a model or draw a picture of a favorite mode of transportation
Week 11: Famous Americans
- Learn about famous Americans, such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King Jr.
- Discuss their contributions to society and their impact on American history
- Create a project or presentation about a famous American figure
Week 12: Space
- Learn about the planets in our solar system and their characteristics
- Explore the history of space exploration and the first moon landing
- Create art or crafts inspired by space, such as a constellation drawing or a model of the solar system
Week 13: Shapes
- Learn about different shapes, including 2D and 3D shapes
- Explore how shapes can be combined to make more complex shapes and figures
- Create art or crafts using different shapes, such as a shape collage or a 3D shape sculpture
Week 14: Weather
- Learn about different types of weather, such as sunny, rainy, and snowy
- Discuss the tools used to measure weather, such as a thermometer and rain gauge
- Conduct weather experiments, such as making a tornado in a bottle or creating a cloud in a jar
Week 15: Holidays Around the World
- Learn about different holidays celebrated around the world, such as Chinese New Year and Diwali
- Discuss the different traditions and customs associated with each holiday
- Create art or crafts inspired by the holidays, such as a Chinese lantern or a Diwali rangoli
Week 16: Community
- Learn about the different types of communities, such as rural, suburban, and urban
- Explore how communities are built and sustained, including the roles of government and community members
- Participate in a community service project, such as cleaning up a local park or planting a community garden
Week 17: Birds
- Learn about the different types of birds and their characteristics, such as their beaks and feathers
- Explore how birds migrate and adapt to their environments
- Create bird-themed art or crafts, such as a birdhouse or a paper plate bird
Week 18: Health and Hygiene
- Learn about the importance of maintaining good health and hygiene habits
- Discuss how to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses
- Practice good hygiene habits, such as washing hands and brushing teeth, and create posters or other materials to promote good health and hygiene
Week 19: Magnets
- Learn about how magnets work and their different properties
- Explore how magnets are used in everyday life, such as in electronics and transportation
- Conduct experiments with magnets, such as making a magnet compass or playing with magnetic slime
Week 20: Music
- Learn about different types of music, such as classical, rock, and jazz
- Explore different musical instruments and their sounds
- Create your own musical instruments and perform a class concert
Week 21: Safety
- Learn about the importance of staying safe, such as wearing helmets and seatbelts
- Discuss how to stay safe in different situations, such as during a fire or earthquake
- Practice safety drills and create safety plans for different scenarios
Week 22: Farming
- Learn about different types of farms, such as dairy farms and vegetable farms
- Explore the different tools and equipment used in farming
- Visit a local farm or participate in a virtual farm tour
Week 23: Measurement
- Learn about different units of measurement, such as inches and centimeters
- Practice measuring different objects and distances using rulers and tape measures
- Conduct measurement experiments, such as comparing the weight of different objects
Week 24: Myths and Legends
- Learn about different myths and legends from around the world, such as the legend of King Arthur or the Greek myth of Medusa
- Discuss the different themes and morals found in myths and legends
- Create your own myth or legend and share it with the class
Week 25: Community Buildings
- Learn about different types of community buildings, such as schools and libraries
- Explore the history and architecture of different community buildings
- Create a model or drawing of a favorite community building
Week 26: Money
- Learn about the different types of money, including coins and bills
- Explore how money is used and exchanged for goods and services
- Practice counting and adding money, and create a pretend store to practice buying and selling items
Week 27: Trees
- Learn about different types of trees and their characteristics, such as their leaves and bark
- Explore the benefits of trees, such as providing shade and oxygen
- Participate in a tree-planting activity or create tree-themed art or crafts
Week 28: Insects
- Learn about different types of insects and their characteristics, such as their wings and antennae
- Explore the roles of insects in nature, such as pollinating plants and decomposing organic matter
- Create insect-themed art or crafts, such as a bug jar or a butterfly garden
Week 29: Fairy Tales
- Learn about different fairy tales, such as Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood
- Discuss the different themes and morals found in fairy tales
- Create your own fairy tale and share it with the class
Week 30: Rocks and Minerals
- Learn about different types of rocks and minerals and their characteristics, such as their hardness and color
- Explore how rocks and minerals are formed and mined
- Conduct experiments with rocks and minerals, such as making a rock collection or creating crystal formations
Week 31: Maps and Geography
- Learn about different types of maps and how to read them, such as road maps and topographic maps
- Explore the different features of the Earth, such as mountains and oceans
- Create your own map and identify different landmarks and features
Week 32: Plants
- Learn about different types of plants and their characteristics, such as their leaves and flowers
- Explore the benefits of plants, such as providing food and oxygen
- Participate in a plant-based activity, such as planting a garden or creating a terrarium
Week 33: Transportation
- Learn about different types of transportation, such as cars, trains, and airplanes
- Explore the history and evolution of transportation
- Create transportation-themed art or crafts, such as a paper airplane or a train track
Week 34: Dinosaurs
- Learn about different types of dinosaurs and their characteristics, such as their size and diet
- Explore how dinosaurs lived and became extinct
- Create dinosaur-themed art or crafts, such as a dinosaur diorama or a fossil impression
Week 35: Solar Energy
- Learn about how solar energy works and its benefits
- Explore how solar energy is used in everyday life, such as in solar panels and solar-powered devices
- Conduct experiments with solar energy, such as making a solar-powered car or oven
Week 36: Celebrations
- Learn about different types of celebrations, such as birthdays and weddings
- Discuss the different traditions and customs associated with different celebrations
- Create decorations or other materials for a pretend celebration in class.