Literacy

Professional Development

March 13, 2014

Living and Nonliving Things

Spring simply lends itself to exploring living and nonliving things in the classroom. It’s so simple to begin to explain the characteristics of each because they are easily found around us as animals and plants grow and change. It’s a concept so simple, yet the students always have so much fun exploring it!

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We started the unit by discussing the attributes of living and nonliving things.  One of my favorite books to read aloud is What’s Alive? by Kathleen Zoehfled.

We then made a list of needs for living things.  We discussed their characteristics, too.

We then used several real items to do a sort of living things and nonliving things.  Of course we didn’t have a ton of living things besides ourselves and a plant in our classroom, but we were able to talk about how things were once living, but now are not. We then made an anchor chart.Living and nonliving things anchor chart that is simple, but hands-on and effective for teaching this concept!
As we discussed how living things need food, we then created a little bird feeder using an old vegetable can that had been rinsed and dried. Side note: This repurposing project tied nicely into Earth Day later!

The kids had SO much fun making them.  They were super simple, too!

Next week we will be finishing up living and nonliving things as we begin to explore plants! We will be using parts from this little unit. If you are looking for more activities and teaching resources, check out this living and nonliving unit below.

Living and nonliving activities that are great for kindergarten and first grade students as they explore the characteristics of living and nonliving things.
What do you do to teach living and nonliving to your little learners? I’d love to hear how you take this concept and make it more concrete for them!
Teach living and nonliving things with your kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students with these fun ideas! Activities for experiments, anchor charts, and interactive notebooks. My students loved the craft!  #firstgrade #secondgrade
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Happy Teaching,

Amanda

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Hi, I'm Amanda

I’m a K-1 teacher who is passionate about making lessons your students love and that are easy to implement for teachers.  Helping teachers like you navigate their way through their literacy block brings me great joy. I am a lifelong learner who loves staying on top of current literacy learning and practices. Here, you’ll find the tools you need to move your K-2 students forward!

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