Objective

By the end of this lesson, Lively will be able to understand the basic concept of living and non-living things, identifying examples from the world around her.

Materials and Prep

• Natural items from outside (like leaves, rocks, or flowers)
• Household items (like a toy, a spoon, or a book)
• Paper and crayons for drawing

Before the lesson, take a short walk outside to collect a few natural items. Also, gather some household items that Lively can easily identify.

Activities

• Nature Scavenger Hunt

  Go outside and collect different natural items. Talk about each item and whether it is living or non-living. Ask Lively to explain why she thinks each item belongs to one category or the other.

• Household Item Sorting

  Gather a few household items and ask Lively to sort them into two groups: living and non-living. Discuss her choices and encourage her to think about why each item belongs in its group.

• Draw and Share

  After sorting, have Lively draw her favorite living and non-living things. Once she’s done, she can share her drawings and explain why she chose those items.

Talking Points

• "What do you think makes something alive?"
• "Can you name something that is living? What about something that is not?"
• "Why do you think this leaf is living? What does it need to stay alive?"
• "How can we tell if something is not alive? Does it grow or change?"
• "What was your favorite thing you found today? Why do you like it?"