Begin with a captivating question: 'What do mushrooms, molds, and puffballs have in common?' This will engage students' curiosity and set the stage for exploring fungi.

Introduce the topic by discussing the unique characteristics of fungi and their role in ecosystems.

Discuss the basic characteristics that differentiate fungi from plants and animals, focusing on their inability to photosynthesize and their role as decomposers.

Explain how fungi reproduce through spores rather than seeds, using examples like mushrooms and molds.

Watch the video 'All About Fungi' to explore the unique characteristics of fungi, their ecological importance, and how they reproduce. This video provides a comprehensive overview that supports understanding of fungi's roles and impacts.

Engage students in a discussion about the different types of fungi and their roles in nutrient cycling.

Conduct a hands-on activity where students observe and classify different fungi samples, such as mushrooms and molds, collected from their environment.

Use the 'Living and Non-living Things at School' assessment to help students distinguish between living and non-living things, reinforcing their understanding of fungi as living organisms.

Assign students to research different types of fungi and create a presentation or poster showcasing their findings.

Use the 'Living Things Grow' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of biological growth processes and how fungi fit into these processes.

Facilitate a class discussion to review the key concepts learned about fungi, their characteristics, and their ecological roles.

Encourage students to reflect on how fungi contribute to ecosystems and their importance in nutrient cycling.

Administer the 'Review – Living Things Around Us' assessment to evaluate students' comprehension of the unit's concepts, including fungi's roles and characteristics.

For extension, students can explore the beneficial uses of fungi in food and medicine, presenting their findings to the class.