UK Curriculum · Year 1 Biology

Year 1 Biology Lesson Plan & Curriculum Map

A flexible learning roadmap for Year 1, with clear topic progression, one-to-one lesson pacing, and practical ways to check understanding. Lessons can be adapted to your state standards and student goals.

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3Terms
12Weekly checkpoints
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Year 1 Biology learning map

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

1 day/week · steady pace2–3 days/week · guided practice
Unit 1 · Autumn · Sep–Dec

Foundations: Plants, animals and habitats

Biology strand
Week1 day / wk2 days / wk3 days / wk
Week 1Plants, animals and habitatsPlants, animals and habitats Worked example and vocabularyPlants, animals and habitats Guided activity Check for understanding
Week 2Key ideas: Plants, animals and habitatsKey ideas: Plants, animals and habitats Worked example and vocabularyKey ideas: Plants, animals and habitats Guided activity Check for understanding
Week 3Guided practice: Plants, animals and habitatsGuided practice: Plants, animals and habitats Worked example and vocabularyGuided practice: Plants, animals and habitats Guided activity Check for understanding
Week 4Review and apply: Plants, animals and habitatsReview and apply: Plants, animals and habitats Worked example and vocabularyReview and apply: Plants, animals and habitats Guided activity Check for understanding
Unit 2 · Autumn · Sep–Dec

Investigation: Life cycles and inheritance

Biology strand
Week1 day / wk2 days / wk3 days / wk
Week 1Life cycles and inheritanceLife cycles and inheritance Worked example and vocabularyLife cycles and inheritance Guided activity Check for understanding
Week 2Key ideas: Life cycles and inheritanceKey ideas: Life cycles and inheritance Worked example and vocabularyKey ideas: Life cycles and inheritance Guided activity Check for understanding
Week 3Guided practice: Life cycles and inheritanceGuided practice: Life cycles and inheritance Worked example and vocabularyGuided practice: Life cycles and inheritance Guided activity Check for understanding
Week 4Review and apply: Life cycles and inheritanceReview and apply: Life cycles and inheritance Worked example and vocabularyReview and apply: Life cycles and inheritance Guided activity Check for understanding
Unit 3 · Autumn · Sep–Dec

Application: Living things and their environments

Biology strand
Week1 day / wk2 days / wk3 days / wk
Week 1Living things and their environmentsLiving things and their environments Worked example and vocabularyLiving things and their environments Guided activity Check for understanding
Week 2Key ideas: Living things and their environmentsKey ideas: Living things and their environments Worked example and vocabularyKey ideas: Living things and their environments Guided activity Check for understanding
Week 3Guided practice: Living things and their environmentsGuided practice: Living things and their environments Worked example and vocabularyGuided practice: Living things and their environments Guided activity Check for understanding
Week 4Review and apply: Living things and their environmentsReview and apply: Living things and their environments Worked example and vocabularyReview and apply: Living things and their environments Guided activity Check for understanding
The learning framework

Anatomy of a focused lesson

Each session moves from a clear question to guided exploration and a check for understanding.

10 minutes

Wonder and question

Start with a real-world biology question and connect it to what the student already knows.

25 minutes

Explore together

Work through examples, diagrams, investigations, or writing with tutor guidance and student participation.

10 minutes

Check for mastery

Use a short practice task to identify what is secure and what should come next.

Student learning toolkit

Resources for Year 1 Biology

Concept lessons

Short explanations of key Year 1 biology ideas.

Practice materials

Guided questions and independent practice matched to the weekly focus.

Applied activities

Hands-on tasks, worked examples, or text analysis to make learning stick.

Progress notes

A clear record of strengths, next steps, and topics to revisit.

Free first lesson

Build a plan for Year 1 Biology

Tell us where the student is up to and we’ll shape the first session around their goals, schoolwork, and preferred pace.

  • No credit card required
  • A one-to-one session with a subject tutor
  • A recommended next-step study plan