Objective
By the end of this lesson, Billy will be able to identify and describe the characteristics that distinguish living things from non-living things. He will understand the basic needs of living organisms and be able to provide examples of both types of things found in his environment.
Materials and Prep
- Paper and colored pencils or crayons
- A notebook for writing observations
- Access to a garden, park, or outdoor area (optional)
- Knowledge of basic definitions of living and non-living things
Activities
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Nature Walk: Take a walk outside and observe the environment. Billy can look for examples of living things (like plants and animals) and non-living things (like rocks and water). He can jot down his observations in his notebook.
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Drawing Activity: After the nature walk, Billy can draw one living thing and one non-living thing he observed. He can label the parts of the living thing and write a few sentences about why it is considered living.
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Living vs. Non-Living Sorting Game: Create two columns on a piece of paper—one for living things and one for non-living things. Billy can think of different items (like a dog, a tree, a car, and a rock) and sort them into the correct column.
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Group Discussion: After completing the activities, have a discussion about what makes something living or non-living. Billy can share his drawings and sorting results with you, explaining his reasoning.
Talking Points
- "What are some things that are alive? Can you name a few?"
- "Living things grow, change, and reproduce. Can you think of a living thing that has changed over time?"
- "Non-living things do not grow or change. Why do you think a rock is considered non-living?"
- "All living things need certain things to survive, like food, water, and air. Can you list what you think a plant needs?"
- "Some living things can move on their own, like animals. But plants can move too—how do they do that?"
- "Can you think of a time when you saw something that was alive? What made it alive?"
- "Why do you think it’s important to know the difference between living and non-living things?"