Hands-On Science for Manitoba, Grade 1

Hands-On Science for Manitoba, Grade 1 is an easy-to-use resource for teaching the five strands of science education in the Manitoba science curriculum (2025). This all-in-one guide contains everything an educator will need, including curriculum correlation charts; background information on the science topics; a complete, full year of easy-to-follow lesson plans; digital reproducible student materials; materials lists; and hands-on, student-centred activities.

The Big Ideas for grade 1 are addressed in the following units:

• Properties of Matter (Matter)
• What is Energy? (Energy and Evolution)
• Patterns in the Sky and on Earth (Space Science)
• Needs and Variety of Living Things (Life Systems and Evolution)

Useful features include:

• the components of an inquiry-based approach
• a four-part instructional process—engage, explore, embed, and enhance
• ideas to incorporate culturally appropriate teaching methodologies from Indigenous worldviews, including Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, and being 
• a fully developed assessment plan that includes opportunities for assessment for, as, and of learning
• a focus on the six global competencies identified in the Manitoba science curriculum in all lessons
• Makerspaces that emphasize practical scientific skills and knowledge through problem-solving and design challenges

Get FREE digital resources with your book purchase. Follow the instructions on the "Access Digital Resources" page at the back of the book to download these resources.

Jennifer E. Lawson, PhD, is the creator of the Hands-On books published by Portage & Main Press. As senior writer and editor for the series, she has contributed to more than 50 publications for teachers and students. Jennifer provides professional development workshops for educators locally, nationally, and virtually, and is a Workplace Wellness Advisor. Her most recent book is a collective effort called Teacher, Take Care: A Guide to Well-Being and Workplace Wellness for Educators. She is also one of the founders of Mission to Mexico, an organization that supports schools in some of the most impoverished communities in Puerto Vallarta. Throughout her extensive career in education, Jennifer has worked as a classroom teacher, resource and special education teacher, consultant, principal, university instructor, and school trustee. She lives with her family in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For over 20 years, Kellie Ierullo (she, her, hers) has been an educator with the Toronto District School Board including as a classroom teacher, special education teacher, and now as a teacher-librarian, technology chair and science/STEM lead educator. Kellie is passionate about helping teachers engage students through meaningful coding and STEM activities and encouraging students to move beyond navigating technology to creating it for themselves. Kellie lives in Woodbridge, Ontario with her family. Greg Johnson, BSc in physics, BEd, is a classroom science teacher in Manitoba. He has taught in rural Manitoba, New Zealand, and in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division. He has been at Westwood Collegiate for 16 years as a teacher and department head. Specializing in physics, Greg teaches grades 11–12 Physics and IB Physics. He has also taught IB Chemistry, Science, and Mathematics. Greg has been a board member of the Science Teachers’ Association of Manitoba since 2008, as member- at-large and vice president. He is interested in technology and maker education, which has led him to create a maker space and maker club at Westwood Collegiate. Greg has been a contributor to several departments of education initiatives and is currently part of the Literacy with Information and Communication Technology (LwICT) coding infusion team. Greg spends his spare time with his family and coaching hockey and baseball. Knowledge Keeper and writer Richelle North Star Scott (Giiwedinong Anong) says Aniin! I am of Anishinaabe and Métis descent, and my Ancestors are from St Peter’s Reserve. I am the mother of three beautiful daughters: Amanda, Tehya, and Riel. I am a KooKoo of a fabulous grandson named Darius, but I call him Noozhis (which means grandchild). I am the Coordinator of Indigenous Inclusion Education for the St James-Assiniboia School Division. I am a Mide woman, Pipe Carrier, Water Carrier, and Sundancer. I have completed my mystery* in land-based education. (*I don’t use "master's" as it is a gender-binary word.)