Living vs. Non-Living: Exploring the World Around Us!

Science Grades 2nd Grade 7:48 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson explores the characteristics of living and non-living things, helping students understand the differences and identify examples in their environment.

Video Resource

Lesson Plan Three: Living and Non-Living Objects

Amie Rebecca

Duration: 7:48
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Living things grow and change.
  • Living things move (either visibly or internally).
  • Living things need food, water, and air.
  • Living things reproduce.
  • Non-living things do not grow, change, move on their own, need food, water, or air, or reproduce.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define the characteristics of living and non-living things.
  • Students will be able to identify examples of living and non-living things in their environment.
  • Students will be able to explain why certain things are classified as living or non-living.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they think makes something 'alive.' Write their ideas on the board. Introduce the concept of living and non-living things as categories.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Watch the "Living and Non-Living Objects" video by Amie Rebecca. Encourage students to pay attention to the examples of living and non-living things and the characteristics that define them.
  • Discussion (8 mins)
    After the video, facilitate a class discussion about the key characteristics of living and non-living things. Review the examples shown in the video and ask students to share additional examples.
  • Activity: Living or Non-Living Sort (10 mins)
    Divide students into small groups. Provide each group with a set of picture cards or small objects representing both living and non-living things. Have them sort the cards or objects into two categories: 'Living' and 'Non-Living'. After sorting, each group should explain their reasoning for each item.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the main points of the lesson. Ask students to summarize the differences between living and non-living things. Assign a brief homework activity: Find three examples of living and three examples of non-living things at home and write a sentence explaining why each item belongs to that category.

Interactive Exercises

  • Nature Walk and Observation
    Take students on a short nature walk around the schoolyard. Have them identify and record examples of living and non-living things they observe. Back in the classroom, discuss their findings and the characteristics that helped them classify each item.
  • Classroom Scavenger Hunt
    Create a list of clues related to living and non-living objects found within the classroom. Students can work individually or in pairs to find objects that match the clues. This reinforces identification skills in a familiar environment.

Discussion Questions

  • What are some things that all living things need to survive?
  • How can you tell if something is alive or not?
  • Can something move and still be non-living? Explain.
  • Why do plants need sunlight?
  • What are some ways that living things change as they grow?

Skills Developed

  • Observation skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Classification skills
  • Communication skills

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of these is a living thing?

Correct Answer: A tree

Question 2:

Living things need _______ to grow.

Correct Answer: All of the above

Question 3:

Which of these is NOT a sign of life?

Correct Answer: Staying the same forever

Question 4:

A ______ is something non-living.

Correct Answer: Book

Question 5:

What do plants need to make their own food?

Correct Answer: Sunlight

Question 6:

Which of the following can have babies?

Correct Answer: A plant

Question 7:

Which of these can move on its own?

Correct Answer: A fish

Question 8:

What do we call things that are not alive?

Correct Answer: Non-living

Question 9:

Which of these is a baby kangaroo?

Correct Answer: Joey

Question 10:

Living things can...

Correct Answer: Grow and change

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Living things need _______, water, and air to stay alive.

Correct Answer: food

Question 2:

Things that are not living are called _______.

Correct Answer: nonliving

Question 3:

Plants need ________ to make their own food.

Correct Answer: sunlight

Question 4:

Living things can grow and ________.

Correct Answer: change

Question 5:

A rock does not ________ or make baby rocks.

Correct Answer: grow

Question 6:

Animals have parents and ________.

Correct Answer: babies

Question 7:

This chair is moving but not on its ________.

Correct Answer: own

Question 8:

The seed opens up under the ________ and the tiny parts of the plant begin to grow

Correct Answer: ground

Question 9:

A baby alligator grows into an ________ alligator

Correct Answer: adult

Question 10:

Plants use sunlight, air, water and the ________ they get from the soil to make food

Correct Answer: nutrients

Educational Standards

2.LS4.1:Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats. 2.LS2.1:[Standard] Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow. 2.PS1.1:[Standard] Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.

Teaching Materials

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