Living and Non-living Things
| Subject | Basic Science |
| Class | JSS1 |
| Term / Week | First term, Week 3 |
| Duration | 40 minutes |
Behavioural objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- define living and non-living things
- list five characteristics of living things
- give three examples each of living and non-living things in their environment
Instructional materials
- A potted plant or leaves from the school compound
- A stone, a plastic bottle and a pencil
- Chart showing the characteristics of living things
Previous knowledge
Students see plants, animals and objects such as chairs and stones every day at home and in school.
Introduction
The teacher holds up a leaf and a stone and asks: "Which of these can grow? Which can feed?" Students share their answers.
Presentation
Teacher: Explains that living things have life: they feed, grow and reproduce. Non-living things do not.
Students: Repeat the definitions and give one example each.
Teacher: Uses the chart to explain movement, respiration, nutrition, irritability, growth, excretion and reproduction.
Students: Copy the list and give an example of each, e.g. a goat eats grass (nutrition).
Teacher: Places the leaf, stone, bottle and pencil on the table.
Students: Sort them into living and non-living things and explain their choices.
Evaluation
- What is a living thing?
- List four characteristics of living things.
- Is a car a living thing? Give a reason.
Summary
Living things feed, breathe, grow, move, respond, excrete and reproduce. Non-living things do not.
Assignment
- List five living and five non-living things you find in your home.
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