Classifying Living and Non-Living Things in Our World

Next Generation Science

This educational video introduces students to the vast diversity of the world around them, focusing on the fundamental distinction between living and non-living things. Through high-quality footage of nature and human-made environments, viewers are taken on a visual journey that explores plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, contrasting them with non-living elements like rocks, water, and air. The narrative explains that while these categories differ, they are deeply interconnected, as living organisms rely on non-living elements to survive. The video covers key scientific themes including biological classification, the basic needs of living organisms (food, water, air, reproduction, growth), and the properties of non-living materials (wood, metal, plastic, etc.). It introduces the concept of classifying objects based on similarities and differences to make sense of the world's complexity. Additionally, it touches on material science by describing properties like strength, flexibility, and buoyancy. For educators, this video serves as an excellent anchor for units on biology, environmental science, or matter. It provides clear visual examples that help students practice observation and classification skills. The content naturally leads to lessons on sorting living vs. non-living items, investigating material properties, or discussing environmental stewardship, making it a versatile tool for early elementary science curriculums.