Begin the lesson by introducing the concept of organisms and their basic needs. Discuss how living things like plants, animals, fungi, and humans share common characteristics that define them as organisms.

Engage students with a brief discussion on how organisms respond to their environment, setting the stage for exploring these characteristics in depth.

Explain the basic needs of organisms, including air, water, food, and a place to live. Highlight the process of photosynthesis and its importance for plant survival.

Use the video 'Characteristics of Organisms' to illustrate how plants produce food, fungi decompose matter, and how organisms are composed of cells. This video supports understanding by providing clear examples of life processes.

Facilitate a discussion on how organisms grow, reproduce, and respond to environmental changes. Use examples from both plant and animal kingdoms.

Watch the video 'Responses to Stimuli' to explore how organisms react to environmental changes. This video provides diverse examples, such as phototropism in plants and instinctual responses in animals, enhancing students' understanding of stimulus-response mechanisms.

Engage students in a hands-on activity by having them classify organisms found in their schoolyard. Use hand lenses to examine small organisms and discuss their characteristics and needs.

Use the 'Organisms in the Schoolyard' assessment to encourage students' hands-on engagement and assess their understanding of what defines a living thing.

Assign students to complete the 'Characteristics of Life – Comprehension' worksheet, which focuses on the characteristics of living organisms. This activity helps assess their understanding of basic biological concepts.

Conduct a class discussion to review key concepts covered in the lesson. Ask students to share examples of organisms and their characteristics.

Use the 'Observing Animal Cells' assessment to evaluate students' comprehension of plant cell structures and their functions.

Encourage students to reflect on what they have learned about the characteristics of life. Have them write a short paragraph summarizing their understanding.

Watch the video 'Importance of Conservation in Science' to discuss the role of biodiversity and conservation in maintaining healthy ecosystems. This video enhances understanding of the significance of conservation efforts.

Test students' comprehension with the 'Review – Classification of Organisms' assessment, which covers classification, needs of plants and animals, and understanding of unicellular and multicellular organisms.

For further exploration, encourage students to research different organisms and present their findings to the class. This extension activity promotes independent learning and critical thinking.