Living vs. Non-living Things

Description of Learning Unit:

This unit is a very visual unit that will teach children the difference between living and non-living things. Make sure to discuss things that are artificial as you go through each lesson, game, and activity. This unit is designed to last one week.

List of Objectives:

• Learn the characteristics of living things.
• Distinguish the difference between living and non-living things.
• Become more aware of their environment.
• Understand that some of the things in our environment are artificial, some are natural, and they can't change from one to another.

List of Materials and Supplies Needed for This Pathway:

Links to Related Pathways (if any):

Links to Online Lessons:

This lesson goes over the seven characteristics of living things.  

This lesson explains the difference between living and non-living things. 

Reference Websites:

This detailed website provides sections on Individuals, Families, Neighborhoods, and the Circle of Life. Each section provides information about the classification and characteristics of different types of living things.

Hands-On Projects and Activities:

This hands-on activity helps kids relate what they learn in the lesson to real life.

This is a hands-on activity about living and non-living things. Children will learn that things cannot change from one form to another.

 Make a collage of living and non-living things.

Learning Tools (worksheets, drills, printables, online games, tests, etc.):

This is a fun online game where children have to find and sort the living things in the pictures. 

This is a great online quiz to test children's understanding of the lesson.

This is a simple quiz where children look at a picture and decide if the thing is living or non-living.

Free Online Video:

Watch this video with your child that features various living and non-living objects. After the video, talk about the characteristics of the living items.

Free Online Audio:

Free E-Books (and classics available in most libraries):