Science Lesson Plan · Grades 2-5

Living and Non-Living Things Lesson

Teach students to distinguish between living and non-living things and identify what all living things have in common. The lesson covers how to classify things as living or non-living, the difference between natural and man-made objects, and the characteristics shared by all living things: growth, response to environment, and reproduction. Includes a worksheet and answer key.

Lesson Overview

Living Things and Their Characteristics

Living things are all around us — in your yard, in your house, and in bodies of water. Non-living things may be natural (like rocks) or man-made (like furniture). What separates living things from non-living things? All living things grow, respond to their environment, and reproduce to create new life. A rock does none of these things; a plant or animal does all of them.

This lesson set includes a four-page lesson and a two-page worksheet. The lesson introduces the concept of living and non-living things, discusses natural vs. man-made objects, and explores the characteristics that define all living things. The worksheet asks students to apply these concepts with sorting and identification activities.

How to Use This Lesson

1. Before reading, take students on a brief observation walk or have them look around the classroom. Ask them to point to something living and something non-living.

2. Read the lesson together. Pause after each characteristic of living things (growth, response, reproduction) and have students give a real-world example.

3. Assign the worksheet independently. Review answers using the key.

Printable Resources

2 classroom-ready PDFs.

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