Objective

The objective of this lesson is for the student to be able to describe observable features of living things and their environments.

Materials and Prep

• Paper and pencil
• Outdoor space (such as a backyard or nearby park)

No prior knowledge is required for this lesson.

Activities

• Take a nature walk: Go outside and explore the natural environment. Observe different plants, animals, and their surroundings. Take notes or draw pictures of what you see.
• Create a nature journal: Use the paper and pencil to create a nature journal. Write and draw about the living things and their environments that you observed during the nature walk.
• Build a habitat: Choose one of the living things you observed and create a habitat for it using materials you find outside. Think about what the living thing needs to survive and try to recreate that in your habitat.
• Play "Guess the Living Thing": Take turns describing a living thing you observed without saying its name. See if the other person can guess what you are describing based on the observable features you provide.

Talking Points

• "Living things are all around us, like plants and animals. Can you think of some examples of living things you have seen?"
• "Observing means looking closely and paying attention to details. When we observe living things, we can notice things like their colors, shapes, sizes, and how they move."
• "Environments are the places where living things live. Some live in water, some live on land, and some live in both. Can you think of some different environments?"
• "Plants are living things that need sunlight, water, and nutrients from the soil to grow. They have different shapes, sizes, and colors. Some have flowers, while others have leaves."
• "Animals are living things that can move on their own. They have different body parts and features that help them survive in their environments. Some animals have fur, some have feathers, and some have scales."
• "When we create a habitat for a living thing, we try to make it feel like its natural environment. For example, if we are creating a habitat for a bird, we might include a nest and some branches for it to perch on."
• "Guessing the living thing based on observable features is like solving a puzzle. By paying attention to the details we observed, we can make educated guesses about what the living thing might be."