Life or Not Lesson Plan Life or Not?
Lesson Plan • 4th Grade Adaptive Special Education
30 Minutes
Tier 1 Classroom
"Understanding living and non-living things helps us understand how everything in nature is connected and how we interact with our world. It's the first step to becoming awesome environmental detectives!"
Objective
Students will be able to distinguish between living and non-living components within an environment by identifying characteristics unique to each.
Approach
Hands-on exploration and interactive learning using visual aids and sorting activities.
Teacher Preparation
Review the Life or Not? Slide Deck and associated Script .
Print and cut out cards for the Living & Non-Living Sort Activity .
Print copies of the Ecosystem Explorers Worksheet .
Prepare the Ecosystem Challenge Game Cards .
Review the Living vs. Non-Living Reading and Quiz Time materials.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Materials Needed
Whiteboard or Projector
Markers/Pens
Life or Not? Slide Deck
Living & Non-Living Sort Activity
Ecosystem Explorers Worksheet
Ecosystem Challenge Game Cards
Living vs. Non-Living Reading
Quiz Time! (Assessment)
Instructional Steps
5m
Warm-Up: Think, Pair, Share
• Begin with the What's Alive? warm-up activity. Ask: "What does it mean to be alive?"
• 1 min individual think time, 2 mins partner talk, then share out keywords (move, eat, grow).
5m
Introduction to Living & Non-Living
• Use the Life or Not? Slide Deck and Script to introduce key concepts.
• Discuss traits: grow, move, reproduce, need food/water vs. things that don't have these traits.
5m
Reading & Discussion
• Distribute the Living vs. Non-Living Reading . Read aloud as a whole class.
• Facilitate discussion: "What are the main differences?" "Can a rock become alive?"
5m
Activity: Living & Non-Living Sort
• Divide students into small groups with sorting mats and picture cards.
• Students work together to classify items and explain their reasoning using clues from the text.
5m
Game: Ecosystem Challenge
• Teacher holds up Challenge Game Cards . Students call out "Living!" or "Non-Living!"
• Quick formative check: Ask "Why?" for a few challenging cards like 'Cloud' or 'River'.
5m
Cool-Down & Worksheet
• Complete the Ecosystem Explorers Worksheet (draw/list living & non-living things).
• Conclude with Nature's Neighbors cool-down as an exit ticket for individual understanding.
Extension: Introduce the Awesome Ecosystem Project Guide for a longer-term creative assessment involving building dioramas or posters.
Life or Not Slide Deck Life or Not?
Exploring Our Environment: What does it mean to be alive?
Nature Detective Unit
Teacher: Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them what "alive" means to them.
What Makes Something LIVING?
Living things have special jobs!
They grow, they change, and they need things to survive every single day.
Teacher: Emphasize that living things DO things, like grow and move.
Living Things:
Grow and Change
Like a tiny seed becoming a big plant!
Reproduce
They can make more of themselves (like baby animals).
Need Food & Energy
To play, learn, and survive!
Need Water & Air
To stay healthy and breathe.
Teacher: Give simple examples for each point. For 'reproduce,' you can say 'make more of themselves'.
What Makes Something NON-LIVING?
Non-living things don't do those special jobs.
They stay pretty much the same unless something from the outside changes them.
Teacher: Transition to non-living things. Highlight the contrast.
Non-Living Things:
Do NOT grow on their own.
Do NOT reproduce (make babies).
Do NOT need food, water, or air.
Teacher: Reinforce that non-living things don't have the same needs.
Living Examples:
Plants
Trees, grass, flowers
Animals
Dogs, birds, insects
People
That's us!
Teacher: Show clear examples. Ask "Is a tree living or non-living? Why?"
Non-Living Examples:
Nature
Rocks, soil, water, air
Weather
Sun, clouds, wind
Objects
Toys, chairs, cars
Buildings
Schools, homes, stores
Teacher: Show clear examples. Ask "Is a cloud living or non-living? Why?"
Your Turn! Living or Non-Living?
Look around our classroom, your backyard, or even your favorite park.
LIVING
What do you see?
NON-LIVING
What do you see?
Teacher: Quick check. Ask students to provide one living and one non-living example from their surroundings.
Why Does It Matter?
Living and non-living things work together in an ecosystem!
Life or Not Teacher Script Teacher Script
Lesson: Life or Not?
Read-Aloud Guide
Note: Text in italics with icons represents teacher instructions or actions. Text in bold within quotes is intended to be read aloud to students.
1
Slide 1: Title & Introduction
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to become environmental detectives! We're going to explore our world and figure out what is living and what is... not living. Take a moment to just think: What do you think it means for something to be alive?"
Allow 1 minute for silent thinking.
"Now, turn to your elbow partner and share your ideas. What does being alive mean to you?"
Allow 2 minutes for partner discussion. Circulate and listen to conversations.
"Okay, let's hear some of your amazing ideas! Who would like to share one thing they talked about? What does a living thing do or need?"
Write keywords on the board: moves, eats, grows, breathes, feels, has babies, etc.
2
Slide 2: What Makes Something LIVING?
"You all have some fantastic ideas! Today, we're going to learn about the special jobs that living things do. Living things are active! They grow, they change, and they need certain things to survive and thrive, just like you do!"
3
Slide 3: Living Characteristics
"Let's look at some of these special characteristics of living things. First, living things grow and change. Think about a tiny little seed. What happens to it over time?"
Pause for answers. Guide towards "it grows into a plant".
"Exactly! Or a puppy! Does a puppy stay small forever?"
Pause for answers. Guide towards "no, it grows into a big dog".
"Living things also reproduce, which means they can make more of themselves. A mama bird lays eggs, and then baby birds hatch! Living things need food or energy to play and learn, just like you eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner! They also need water to stay healthy, and need air to breathe. These are all super important!"
4
Slide 4: What Makes Something NON-LIVING?
"Now, what about things that are NOT living? These are called non-living things. Non-living things don't do those special jobs we just talked about. They stay pretty much the same unless something else changes them. Can anyone think of something around us right now that is not living?"
Call on 2-3 students for examples.
5
What's Alive Warm-Up Activity Nature Detective Warm-Up
Name:
Date:
Time to Think!
5 MINS
Big Question
What does it mean for something to be ALIVE?
1
THINK
Take one minute to quietly think about the question above. Look around the room for clues!
2
PAIR
Turn to your elbow partner. Share your ideas for two minutes. What do you both think makes something alive?
3
SHARE
We will come back together as a class. Be ready to share one word or idea with everyone!
My Thoughts (Optional)
Ready to Explore!
Living vs Non-Living Reading Passage The Big Differences
Living vs. Non-Living Things
Reading
Hello, amazing environmental detectives! Today, we are going to read about the two types of things in our world.
What are Living Things?
Imagine a tiny puppy, a tall tree, or even YOU! These are all living things. Living things have special ways of growing and changing.
They Grow and Change
A small seed grows into a plant. A caterpillar changes into a butterfly.
They Need Food and Water
Animals eat food. Plants use sunlight for energy. All living things need water to stay healthy.
They Need Air
We breathe air, and so do many other living things!
They Reproduce
This means they can make more living things like themselves (like baby animals).
What are Non-Living Things?
Think about a smooth rock, a comfy chair, or the water in a puddle. These are non-living things. They do not grow, change, or need food on their own.
No Growth
A rock stays the same size unless it breaks.
No Hunger
A toy car doesn't get hungry or thirsty.
No Babies
A book cannot make another baby book.
No Moving
A mountain doesn't get up and walk away!
Why is this important?
Both living and non-living things are super important parts of our ECOSYSTEM. They work together!
Example: A bird (living) might build its nest in a tree (living) using twigs (non-living) and sit on a rock (non-living) to see the sun (non-living)!
Everything is Connected!
Living & Non-Living Sort Activity Living & Non-Living Sort
Detective Sorting Mission
Group Activity
HOW TO PLAY:
1
Look at a picture card with your group.
2
Discuss: Does it grow? Need food? Move?
3
Place it on the LIVING or NON-LIVING mat.
Living Things
Place cards here...
Non-Living Things
Place cards here...
Next Page: Print and cut out the cards!
Picture Cards (Cut Out)
Tree
Rock
Bird
Car
Flower
Cloud
Fish
Book
Boy
Butterfly
Pencil
Water
Ecosystem Challenge Game Cards Ecosystem Challenge
Teacher's Game Pack
Quick Check!
How to Play:
Hold up one card at a time. Students shout "LIVING!" or "NON-LIVING!" as fast as they can. Choose a student to explain why after each shout.
#1
Frog
#2
Sun
#3
Leaf
#4
River
#5
Ant
#6
Bicycle
#7
Bird Nest
#8
Mountain
Teacher Cheat Sheet
1. Frog Living
5. Ant Living
2. Sun Non-Living
6. Bicycle Non-Living
3. Leaf Living
7. Bird Nest Non-Living
4. River Non-Living
8. Mountain Non-Living
* Note: A bird nest is made by a living thing, but it does not grow or reproduce on its own.
Ecosystem Explorers Worksheet Ecosystem Explorers
Worksheet • My Backyard Discovery
Name:
Date:
1 Imagine Your Backyard!
Imagine you are an explorer in your own backyard or a nearby park. What living and non-living things might you see there?
Draw a picture below. Include at least 3 living things and 3 non-living things!
Drawing Zone
3 Living Things
3 Non-Living Things
2 List It Out!
Now, list the living and non-living things you drew. Tell WHY they belong in that group.
Living Things
Item 1 Name:
Why is it living?
Item 2 Name:
Why is it living?
Item 3 Name:
Why is it living?
Non-Living
Item 1 Name:
Why is it non-living?
Item 2 Name:
Why is it non-living?
Item 3 Name:
Why is it non-living?
Quiz Time Assessment Quiz Time!
Life or Not? Quick Check
Name:
Date:
1. Which of these is a LIVING thing?
A. A rock
B. A flower
C. A cloud
D. A table
2. Which of these is a NON-LIVING thing?
A. A bird
B. A fish
C. A bicycle
D. A tree
3. Name one thing that living things NEED to survive.
4. Can a non-living thing grow bigger on its own? Explain your answer.
5. If something can make more of itself (like a mother dog having puppies), it is likely a:
A. Non-living thing
B. Living thing
C. A rock
D. A cloud
Test Your Knowledge Summative Assessment Test Your Knowledge
Ecosystem Expert Exam
Name:
Date:
1. Which of these is a characteristic of all living things?
A. They are big and strong.
B. They need food, water, and air.
C. They can fly.
D. They are made of plastic.
2. A river is considered a non-living thing because it:
A. Is wet.
B. Does not grow or reproduce on its own.
C. Can move quickly.
D. Is home to fish.
3. List TWO examples of living things and explain one reason why each is living.
Example 1 & Why:
Example 2 & Why:
4. List TWO examples of non-living things and explain one reason why each is non-living.
Example 1 & Why:
Example 2 & Why:
5. Which statement is true about living and non-living things?
A. Non-living things can become living things if you water them enough.
B. Only living things are important in an environment.
C. Living and non-living things interact and are both important in an ecosystem.
D. All non-living things are man-made.
Awesome Ecosystem Project Guide Awesome Ecosystem Project
Mini-Ecosystem Creation Guide
Show what you know by creating your very own mini-ecosystem! Choose one of the options below to get started.
Option 1
3D Diorama
What is it? A small model of an environment in a shoebox.
Materials to use:
Shoebox, paper, small toys, twigs, leaves, cotton balls, sand, glue, markers.
Must Include:
3 Living Things
3 Non-Living Things
Labels for everything!
Option 2
Poster / Drawing
What is it? A large, detailed picture showing a scene.
Materials to use:
Poster board, crayons, markers, colored pencils, paint.
Must Include:
5 Living Things
5 Non-Living Things
Labels for everything!
Mission Steps:
1
Choose your environment
Forest, ocean, backyard, desert—you decide!
2
Gather your materials
Collect boxes, paper, glue, and natural items like sticks.
3
Create your scene
Build your diorama or draw your masterpiece.
4
Add and LABEL your things
Put in your living and non-living things. Write labels for each!
5
Be ready to share
Show your project to the class and explain your amazing work.
Important Deadline:
Due Date: ______________________
Check the rubric
Aim for 16 points!
Awesome Ecosystem Project Rubric Project Rubric
Awesome Ecosystem Assessment
Student Name:
Diorama
Poster
Category 4 - Excellent 3 - Good 2 - Developing 1 - Needs Imp. Living Things Identification Accurately identifies and labels ALL required living things. Accurately identifies and labels MOST required living things. Identifies and labels SOME living things. Minor errors. Identifies few or no living things, or has major errors. Non-Living ID Identification Accurately identifies and labels ALL required non-living things. Accurately identifies and labels MOST required non-living things. Identifies and labels SOME non-living things. Minor errors. Identifies few or no non-living things, or has major errors. Effort & Creativity Project is very creative and detailed. Thoughtful use of materials. Project is creative and shows good effort. Materials used well. Shows some creativity but could be more detailed or complete. Lacks creativity and effort, or is incomplete. Presentation Clearly explains choices with confidence. Labels are neat and easy to read. Explains choices clearly. Labels are readable. Presentation is somewhat clear, but lacks some detail. Presentation is unclear, disorganized, or incomplete.
Teacher Comments:
Total Score
_____ / 16
Nature's Neighbors Cool-Down Exit Ticket Nature's Neighbors
Cool-Down & Exit Ticket
Name:
Date:
Think about what we learned today about living and non-living things.
1
Name ONE LIVING THING you learned about today:
Tell me WHY it is a living thing:
2
Name ONE NON-LIVING THING from today:
Tell me WHY it is a non-living thing:
Case Closed!
