Irish Curriculum · 1st Year Science

1st Year Science Lesson Plan & Curriculum Map

A full-year 1st Year Science lesson plan aligned to the Junior Cycle Science specification in Ireland. Week-by-week lessons for 1, 2 or 3 days a week from September to August, covering the Nature of Science, the Biological World, the Chemical World, the Physical World and Earth & Space, with investigation, practical write-ups and end-of-year consolidation.

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1st Year Science learning map

Choose a term, then compare a lighter weekly plan with a more intensive schedule.

1 day/week · steady pace2–3 days/week · guided practice
September · Nature of Science + Biological World

1st Year Science — September Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Science
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
September 1st week
(Science)		Introduce: Nature of Science: scientific inquiry, investigation, communication and science in societyIntroduce: Nature of Science: scientific inquiry, investigation, communication and science in society Practice / retrieval taskIntroduce: Nature of Science: scientific inquiry, investigation, communication and science in society Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
September 2nd week
(Science)		Develop: Biological World: cell structure, microscopy, living organisms, human biological systems and basic ecolo…Develop: Biological World: cell structure, microscopy, living organisms, human biological systems and basic ecolo… Practice / retrieval taskDevelop: Biological World: cell structure, microscopy, living organisms, human biological systems and basic ecolo… Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
September 3rd week
(Science)		Apply / investigate: Biological World: cell structure, microscopy, living organisms, human biological systems and basic ecolo…Apply / investigate: Biological World: cell structure, microscopy, living organisms, human biological systems and basic ecolo… Practice / retrieval taskApply / investigate: Biological World: cell structure, microscopy, living organisms, human biological systems and basic ecolo… Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
September 4th week
(Science)		Review, consolidate & assess: Nature of Science: scientific inquiry, investigation, communication and science in societyReview, consolidate & assess: Nature of Science: scientific inquiry, investigation, communication and science in society Practice / retrieval taskReview, consolidate & assess: Nature of Science: scientific inquiry, investigation, communication and science in society Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
October · Biological World + Chemical World

1st Year Science — October Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Science
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
October 1st week
(Science)		Introduce: Biological World: cell structure, microscopy, living organisms, human biological systems and basic ecolo…Introduce: Biological World: cell structure, microscopy, living organisms, human biological systems and basic ecolo… Practice / retrieval taskIntroduce: Biological World: cell structure, microscopy, living organisms, human biological systems and basic ecolo… Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
October 2nd week
(Science)		Develop: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo…Develop: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo… Practice / retrieval taskDevelop: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo… Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
October 3rd week
(Science)		Apply / investigate: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo…Apply / investigate: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo… Practice / retrieval taskApply / investigate: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo… Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
October 4th week
(Science)		Review, consolidate & assess: Biological World: cell structure, microscopy, living organisms, human biological systems and basic ecolo…Review, consolidate & assess: Biological World: cell structure, microscopy, living organisms, human biological systems and basic ecolo… Practice / retrieval taskReview, consolidate & assess: Biological World: cell structure, microscopy, living organisms, human biological systems and basic ecolo… Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
November · Chemical World

1st Year Science — November Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Science
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
November 1st week
(Science)		Introduce: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo…Introduce: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo… Practice / retrieval taskIntroduce: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo… Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
November 2nd week
(Science)		Develop: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo…Develop: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo… Practice / retrieval taskDevelop: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo… Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
November 3rd week
(Science)		Apply / investigate: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo…Apply / investigate: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo… Practice / retrieval taskApply / investigate: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo… Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
November 4th week
(Science)		Review, consolidate & assess: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo…Review, consolidate & assess: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo… Practice / retrieval taskReview, consolidate & assess: Chemical World: states of matter, particle theory, solutions, density, atomic structure, elements, compo… Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
December · Physical World

1st Year Science — December Lesson Plan

Irish Curriculum · Science
Week1 Day/Week2 Day/Week3 Day/Week
December 1st week
(Science)		Introduce: Physical World: energy, forces, motion and properties of matterIntroduce: Physical World: energy, forces, motion and properties of matter Practice / retrieval taskIntroduce: Physical World: energy, forces, motion and properties of matter Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
December 2nd week
(Science)		Develop: Physical World: energy, forces, motion and properties of matterDevelop: Physical World: energy, forces, motion and properties of matter Practice / retrieval taskDevelop: Physical World: energy, forces, motion and properties of matter Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
December 3rd week
(Science)		Apply / investigate: Physical World: energy, forces, motion and properties of matterApply / investigate: Physical World: energy, forces, motion and properties of matter Practice / retrieval taskApply / investigate: Physical World: energy, forces, motion and properties of matter Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
December 4th week
(Science)		Review, consolidate & assess: Physical World: energy, forces, motion and properties of matterReview, consolidate & assess: Physical World: energy, forces, motion and properties of matter Practice / retrieval taskReview, consolidate & assess: Physical World: energy, forces, motion and properties of matter Practical / data / discussion activity Check for understanding
The learning framework

Anatomy of a focused lesson

Each session moves from a clear focus to guided practice and a quick check for understanding.

10 minutes

Retrieve and diagnose

Open with short questions that check the prior knowledge needed for the week’s 1st Year Science topic.

25 minutes

Explore and explain

Work through the concept with diagrams and worked examples, then apply it to data, practicals and Junior Cycle-style questions.

10 minutes

Check for understanding

Finish with a short question or data task that shows progress towards the Junior Cycle exam.

Student learning toolkit

Resources for 1st Year Science

Concept lessons

Clear explanations of each 1st Year science topic in the order it comes up in school.

Practicals & investigations

Guided practicals, investigations and data analysis matched to each week of the plan.

Exam-style practice

Junior Cycle science questions with worked solutions and marking guidance.

Progress notes

Regular feedback for parents on strengths, gaps and next steps.

Free first lesson

Build a plan for 1st Year Science

Tell us your child’s year, subjects and level, and where they are with Junior Cycle science, and we will shape the first grind around the 1st Year Science topics that matter most.

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  • A one-to-one session with a certified Science tutor
  • A recommended next-step study plan