Begin the lesson by introducing the concept of living and non-living things. Discuss the characteristics that define living things, such as needing energy, being made of cells, and the ability to grow and reproduce.
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What Are Living Things?
Learning Objectives
- Identify the characteristics that define living things, such as needing energy, being made of cells, and the ability to grow and reproduce.
- Differentiate between living and non-living things based on their needs and characteristics.
- Explain the basic needs of animals, including water, food, and oxygen.
- Describe how plants produce their own food through photosynthesis using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
- Understand how the environment provides living things with the resources they need to survive.
Introduction and Hook
Use the video 'What Are Living and Non-living Things?' to visually engage students with examples and explanations of living and non-living things.
Direct Instruction
Explain the basic needs of animals, including water, food, and oxygen. Highlight how these needs are met in their environments.
Introduce the concept of photosynthesis and how plants produce their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Guided Exploration
Watch 'Responses to Stimuli' to understand how living things react to their environment. Discuss examples like phototropism in plants and instinctual responses in animals.
Engage students in a discussion about the characteristics of living things, using the video 'Characteristics of Organisms' to support understanding.
Hands-On Activity
Have students classify objects around the classroom or home into living and non-living categories. Discuss their findings and reasoning.
Use the 'Living and Non-living Things at School' assessment to reinforce classification skills through observation and recording.
Independent Practice
Assign students to explore their surroundings and list examples of living and non-living things, explaining their classification based on characteristics discussed.
Check for Understanding
Conduct a quick quiz or discussion to assess students' understanding of the characteristics and needs of living things.
Try the QuizReview and Reflection
Reflect on the lesson by discussing how the environment provides resources for living things and the importance of these resources for survival.
Assessment and Extension
Use the 'Living Things Grow' assessment to evaluate understanding of growth and development in living organisms.
Encourage students to explore further by investigating how different environments support various living things, using the 'A Place to Live' assessment.
