Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify and compare the features and characteristics of living and non-living things.

Materials and Prep

Materials needed: paper, pencil, markers, objects from nature (e.g., leaves, rocks), and objects from around the house (e.g., toy car, pencil case).

No prior knowledge is required for this lesson.

Activities

• Take a nature walk and collect different objects. Sort them into two groups: living and non-living. Discuss why each object belongs to its group.

• Draw a Venn diagram on paper. Label one circle "Living Things" and the other circle "Non-Living Things." Fill in the overlapping area with objects that have characteristics of both.

• Choose one living thing and one non-living thing. Create a mini poster for each, highlighting their features and characteristics. Present your posters to a family member or friend.

Talking Points

• Living things can grow and change. For example, plants grow from seeds into big trees. Non-living things like rocks do not grow or change in the same way. They stay the same size and shape.

• Living things need food, water, and air to survive. Just like how you need to eat and drink to stay healthy, animals and plants also need these things to live and grow.

• Living things can move on their own, like animals walking or plants growing towards the sun. Non-living things, such as a table or a book, cannot move by themselves. They need someone or something to move them.