The First Term Scheme of Work for JSS 1 Basic Science actively guides junior secondary school students through core science concepts at an early academic stage. Curriculum developers based it on the Lagos State Unified Curriculum and aligned it with the national standards that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) set. The scheme equips learners with the basic scientific literacy they need for long-term academic growth and healthy decision-making. It presents a balanced mix of biological, physical, and health sciences, helping students understand their environment, their own bodies, and how science applies to everyday life.
Students first study the classification and identification of living and non-living things. This fundamental concept establishes the groundwork for understanding biology, ecology, and environmental science. Students differentiate between organisms and inanimate matter, explore the characteristics of life, and appreciate the diversity of life forms around them. Teachers reinforce these early lessons with practical activities such as observing plants, insects, and common objects to emphasize the differences between living and non-living things.
As the weeks continue, the curriculum introduces more personal and health-related topics such as puberty and family health. These lessons help students, many of whom are entering adolescence, understand the physical and emotional changes that occur in their bodies. Educators sensitively discuss puberty, providing accurate scientific explanations of human development and addressing social and emotional wellness. Students learn to value hygiene, self-care, and mutual respect during this critical stage of life.
Family health deepens this discussion by showing students how health choices influence not just individuals but whole households. The curriculum includes topics such as nutrition, disease prevention, personal cleanliness, and maintaining a clean and safe home environment. This segment promotes personal well-being and encourages students to contribute actively to healthier family and community life.
Another vital part of the term’s scheme is drug education. Teachers explain the concept of drugs, including the difference between helpful medicinal substances and harmful or illegal drugs. They teach students about the dangers of drug misuse and addiction, empowering them to make informed choices despite peer pressure or societal influence. These lessons often include discussions, real-life examples, and guest talks from health professionals to enhance relatability and impact.
The structured weekly breakdown ensures that each topic builds upon the previous one, helping students steadily enhance their understanding of scientific principles. Teachers use the scheme to prepare lesson plans, assign homework, and create assessments that meet both local and national standards. Parents also benefit by understanding the scheme, which enables them to monitor their child’s academic progress, offer extra learning resources at home, and support classroom instruction through meaningful conversations.
For students, this scheme provides a roadmap that helps them follow the subject throughout the term. It promotes proactive reading, active participation in class activities, and early revision for tests and examinations. The consistent progression from one topic to another reduces confusion and helps students develop better study habits.
JSS 1 Basic Science First Term Scheme of Work (2025)
| Week | Topic | Subtopics / Learning Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Living and Non-Living Things I | i. Meaning of matter ii. Identification and classification of matter iii. States of matter |
| Week 2 | Living and Non-Living Things II | i. Characteristics of living and non-living things ii. Importance of plants and animals |
| Week 3 | Living and Non-Living Things III | i. Differences between plants and animals ii. Uses and importance of living and non-living things |
| Week 4 | Living and Non-Living Things IV | i. Classification of non-living things into metals and non-metals ii. Properties and uses |
| Week 5 | Human Development | i. Meaning of puberty and adolescence ii. Physical, social, and emotional changes iii. Menstruation and menstrual hygiene iv. Myths and facts v. Coping strategies |
| Week 6 | Family Health I | i. Definition of sanitation ii. Importance of sanitation iii. Methods of maintaining sanitation |
| Weeks 7–8 | Family Health II | i. Meaning of nutrition ii. Balanced diet iii. Classes of food with examples iv. Planning an adequate diet for the home |
| Week 9 | Family Health III | i. Meaning of drugs, substance abuse, addiction ii. Sources and examples of drugs iii. Uses and dangers of drug misuse |
| Week 10 | Reproductive System | i. Male and female reproductive organs (internal and external) ii. Functions and care of the reproductive system |
| Week 11 | General Revision | Review of all topics in preparation for exams |
| Weeks 12–13 | Examination | Administration of First Term exams |
Importance of the Basic Science Scheme
This scheme ensures that teachers, students, and parents actively align with national education goals and promote consistency in science education across Nigerian schools.
Teachers rely on the scheme as a structured weekly lesson guide that removes uncertainty in planning. Each week outlines topics that progress from simple to complex concepts. With this guide, teachers prepare lesson notes in advance, gather demonstration materials, and design assessments that reflect student learning. School administrators can also supervise and evaluate science instruction more effectively.
Pupils, especially those transitioning from primary to junior secondary school, explore essential science concepts in a gradual and accessible format through this scheme. By starting with foundational topics like living and non-living things, students investigate the natural world in engaging and age-appropriate ways. As they progress, they study more personal topics like puberty, hygiene, family health, and drug education. These lessons combine scientific knowledge with practical applications, helping students connect learning to everyday life.
One of the scheme’s strengths lies in its emphasis on health awareness and biology. Students learn the value of personal hygiene and understand how lifestyle choices impact physical health. Teachers present puberty topics scientifically and sensitively, guiding adolescents through the changes they face. Students also gain tools to resist peer pressure and avoid drug misuse. Early health science education plays a key role in forming responsible, informed individuals.
Parents gain from the scheme’s structure and transparency. By knowing weekly learning goals, parents actively support their children’s education at home. They help with homework, provide resources, and engage in school-based discussions, enhancing academic and personal growth. This collaboration improves school performance and student confidence.
The scheme also promotes independent study habits. When students understand the sequence of topics, they prepare ahead, revise consistently, and ask informed questions. This independence builds academic discipline and readiness for future self-directed learning.
First Term Scheme of Work for JSS 1 Basic Science acts as a foundational educational tool that supports effective teaching, thorough learning, and meaningful family involvement. It helps teachers deliver lessons logically, helps students absorb scientific and health knowledge early, and keeps parents connected to their child’s progress. With its focus on academics and life skills, the scheme guides students toward scientific literacy and responsible decision-making in school and beyond.
How to Use the Scheme Effectively
For Teachers
Teachers are at the heart of successful curriculum delivery, and the JSS 1 Basic Science First Term Scheme of Work provides an organized roadmap to follow throughout the term. By using the weekly topic breakdown, teachers can create focused lesson plans with specific objectives that align with both the Lagos State Unified Curriculum and NERDC’s national education guidelines. This structure ensures consistency in what is taught across different schools, helping all students, regardless of location, to receive the same quality of education.
In planning lessons, teachers should integrate the scheme into their daily classroom routines, ensuring that each topic is introduced logically and supported with engaging teaching methods. For example, topics such as “Living and Non-Living Things” or “Classification of Materials” can be taught using real-life samples—such as leaves, stones, plastic, and metals, that students can touch and observe in class. This hands-on approach helps improve comprehension and retention, especially for visual and kinesthetic learners.
Additionally, teachers should design classwork and assignments that reflect the week’s focus. Class exercises might involve labeling diagrams, short quizzes, group discussions, or small research tasks. These not only reinforce learning but also make the lesson more interactive. When it comes to topics like puberty, reproductive health, and drug education, it is crucial that teachers adopt an age-appropriate and respectful tone. These subjects may be sensitive for students, so it is important to foster an open, judgment-free classroom environment where learners feel safe to ask questions or express concerns.
Assessment is another important element of effective teaching. Teachers should include weekly tests or quizzes that assess both recall and understanding. Using the scheme as a guide, they can also organize midterm and end-of-term revisions in Weeks 6 and 10. During these periods, mock tests, group work, and peer teaching methods can be introduced to help prepare students for their official examinations and improve performance across the board.
For Parents
Parental involvement is one of the most powerful tools for boosting student success, especially in foundational subjects like Basic Science. The First Term Scheme of Work offers parents a detailed view of what their children are expected to learn each week. With this insight, parents can take on a supportive role at home, guiding study sessions, helping with homework, and monitoring overall academic progress.
Parents should make time to review the weekly topics with their child, even if it’s for a few minutes each day. For instance, after the student learns about “The Human Body” in school, the parent can reinforce the lesson by helping the child identify body parts and their functions during regular family routines. Similarly, when studying hygiene, parents can use activities like handwashing before meals or brushing teeth at night to reinforce classroom lessons.
It’s also essential for parents to create a structured learning environment at home. This includes designating a quiet study area, setting regular reading or homework times, and limiting distractions such as excessive television or mobile phone use. Providing access to learning materials, like age-appropriate textbooks, charts, or educational YouTube videos, can help the child gain a deeper understanding of complex topics such as nutrition, reproduction, and disease prevention.
Moreover, discussing topics like puberty or drug abuse at home can help children feel more comfortable and informed. Parents don’t need to have perfect answers but should be willing to listen, share values, and guide their child with honesty and clarity. These conversations help build trust and ensure that children turn to their parents, not misinformation, when they need guidance.
For Students
As students enter Junior Secondary School, they begin to take more responsibility for their education, and the Basic Science Scheme of Work gives them the tools to do just that. Students are advised to use this scheme to stay ahead in class by reviewing the upcoming topic before it is taught. Reading ahead builds confidence and allows them to participate actively in lessons.
Each week, students should make it a habit to review their class notes and textbooks regularly. When studying topics such as “Living Things” or “Puberty,” they should not just memorize facts but aim to understand how these concepts relate to their own lives. This kind of personal connection enhances memory and application. For example, learning about food and nutrition becomes more meaningful when they connect it to what they eat at home.
Asking questions in class is also important. Students should not feel shy or afraid to raise their hands when they are confused. Teachers are there to help, and speaking up shows interest in learning. If something is still unclear after class, they can discuss with classmates or revisit their notes.
Practical exercises should not be skipped. When asked to draw diagrams, such as the parts of the body, food charts, or the stages of human development, students should practice until they get it right. These diagrams are often assessed in tests and exams, and mastering them helps improve grades.
Finally, students must take personal hygiene and healthy living seriously. These are not just school topics, they are essential life skills. Whether it’s washing hands regularly, brushing their teeth twice a day, or avoiding harmful substances, what they learn in Basic Science will help them stay healthy and make smarter decisions as they grow up.
The JSS 1 Basic Science First Term Scheme of Work is more than just a list of topics, it is a strategic roadmap designed to lay the foundation for scientific literacy, health awareness, and lifelong curiosity in young learners. As students transition into junior secondary school, it is crucial to introduce them to the core principles of science in a way that is practical, relevant, and engaging. This curriculum does exactly that by combining essential topics like living and non-living things, classification of matter, family health, drug education, puberty, and nutrition.
The scheme ensures that every topic contributes to the student’s overall development, not just academically, but socially and emotionally. Learning about the human body and hygiene encourages self-care, while discussions around puberty and family life teach empathy, self-awareness, and responsible decision-making. Lessons on the classification of materials and the environment help students begin to understand the natural world and how they interact with it, setting the stage for future science subjects like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
For teachers, the weekly structure makes lesson planning easier and more intentional. It helps ensure that important learning objectives are not missed, and that each class builds upon the previous one. Teachers who use this scheme effectively can bring science to life through experiments, group projects, and discussions that go beyond the textbook.
Parents also play a vital role. By using the scheme to stay informed, they can support learning at home, help with homework, reinforce hygiene habits, and even use everyday activities, like cooking or cleaning, as teaching moments. This home-school partnership strengthens the student’s understanding and makes education more holistic.
Students, too, have an active role to play. With this scheme, they can prepare in advance, stay organized, and take responsibility for their own learning. They are encouraged to ask questions, explore the world around them, and see science as something exciting and useful, not just a subject to pass.
In a world that is constantly changing and increasingly driven by technology, building scientific understanding from an early stage is more important than ever. The JSS 1 Basic Science First Term Scheme of Work gives Nigerian students that early start, ensuring they are well-prepared for future academic challenges and for making informed decisions in their personal lives.
Bookmark this article for reference throughout the school term. Share it with classmates, fellow teachers, and parents who want to stay involved in their children’s academic growth. Be sure to check back regularly for updates on the Second Term and Third Term schemes of work, as well as revision guides and exam prep resources.
Let this guide be your companion as you build a stronger, smarter, and more confident science learner, right from JSS 1.
