Learning Resource Type

Lesson Plan

Dead or Alive?...Exploration of Living and Nonliving Things

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

K

Overview

In this lesson, students will compare and contrast characteristics of living and nonliving things via pictures, class projects, videos, and whole-group discourse. Students will record their findings in Science journals.

This lesson was created as part of the 2016 NASA STEM Standards of Practice Project, a collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

    Science (2015) Grade(s): KG

    SC15.K.3

    Distinguish between living and nonliving things and verify what living things need to survive (e.g., animals needing food, water, and air; plants needing nutrients, water, sunlight, and air).

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.K.3

    Vocabulary

    • Distinguish
    • Living
    • Nonliving
    • Verify
    • Need
    • Survive
    • Animals
    • Plants
    • Nutrients
    • Water
    • Sunlight
    • Air
    • Food

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • All animals need food, water, and air in order to survive.
    • Animals obtain their food from plants and other animals.
    • Plants need water, light and air to survive.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Distinguish between living (including humans) and nonliving things.
    • Verify what living things, including plants and animals, need to survive.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Patterns in the natural world can be observed and used as evidence when distinguishing between living and nonliving things and determining the needs of living things.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Analyzing and Interpreting Data

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Patterns

    Primary Learning Objectives

    The student will enhance their knowledge of living and nonliving things and be able to differentiate between the characteristics of each.

    DOK: Elaborate on what living things need to survive.

    Procedures/Activities

    Step 1: Read Aloud: “Living and Nonliving by Carol Lindeen” and/or “The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow” by Joanna Cole and John Speirs” and show Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giWqEPNLtBo

    Step 2: In a whole group setting, using KWL (or another graphic organizer) on Chart paper, discuss with students the characteristics of living and nonliving things. You could also consider using the ReadWriteThink KWL Creator at http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/creator-30846.html
    Questions:
    -What are some examples of living things?
    -What are some examples of nonliving things?
    -How are living and nonliving things different?
    -Do all living things move?
    -Do all living things eat?
    -Do nonliving things eat?
    -Why do living things move?


    Step 3: Provide groups of 5-6 students with various representations of living and nonliving objects. (i.e.: toy animals, miniature toy plants, rocks, office supplies) Have students draw a quick picture of an example of each a living and nonliving thing and orally discuss drawings.

    Step 4: In groups of 2-3 students, allow students to use the Living/Nonliving Sort Activity Sheet to categorize pictures of objects and/or give students half a poster, drawing a line to make two columns, labeling one side “Living” and the other side “Nonliving” and allow students to find pictures from magazines and paste in correct columns (2-4 pictures, each). Display outside the door or in the classroom. Students record findings in Science Journals.

    Step 5: Students play Living and Nonliving Kahoot! game here: https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/af498d7c-97d4-4665-a10d-a668bc0cbbcd

    Assessment Strategies

    This objective may be assessed by the following: teacher observation, classroom participation, and completed sorting models.

    Acceleration

    Extended activity opportunities: Living/nonliving rap and Hula Hoop activity

    Approximate Duration

    Total Duration

    31 to 60 Minutes

    Background and Preparation

    Background/Preparation

    Ensure access to YouTube or download the video in advance. Teacher will have to know how to use Kahoot! and a Kahoot! account.

    Materials and Resources

    Materials and Resources

    K-W-L chart (for class), pencils, scissors, glue, construction paper or card stock, markers, magazines (to cut from), Read aloud books, crayons, Living/Nonliving Sort & Characteristic activity sheet, white paper for class (1 per student), rap sheet, hula activity sheet, Science journals

    Technology Resources Needed

    Interactive board, Access to YouTube, computer OR laptop OR tablet access for each student or groups of students.

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