Introduction:
Teaching the difference between living and non-living things is one of the first foundational science concepts in early elementary grades. It helps students develop observation skills and understand the world around them. However, it can be tricky for young learners to grasp these abstract ideas without visual aids and hands-on practice.
As a bilingual teacher, I always look for effective and engaging ways to present these topics. That’s why I created a printable activity pack that’s been a classroom favorite — and today, I’m sharing how you can use it to make your science lessons both fun and meaningful.
🧠 What Should Students Learn in This Unit?
How to tell if something is living or non-living
What living things need to survive (air, water, food, shelter)
How to classify things in their environment using these characteristics
✏️ 5 Classroom Ideas for Teaching Living vs. Non-Living
1. Nature Walk Observation
Take your class outdoors and let them observe their surroundings. Ask: Do you see anything that moves on its own? Does it grow? Does it need food or water?
2. Picture Sorting
Use printed cards or magazine cutouts and let students sort them into “living” and “non-living” categories. Perfect for learning centers or small group work.
3. Vocabulary & Mini-Read Aloud
Introduce science words like breathe, grow, move, reproduce using short texts or mini-books. Discuss what each means in real life. Great for ELL/ESL learners too!
4. Writing & Sorting Activities
Now it’s time to put the learning into practice…
🌱 Living and Non-Living Things – Needs to Survive Activity Pack
This best-selling resource includes everything you need to help students master this unit:
✅ Worksheets
✅ Cut-and-paste sorting activities
✅ Anchor charts
✅ Needs to survive diagram
✅ Engaging illustrations
Perfect for:
Science stations
Homework
Early finishers
Whole-group instruction
Review before assessments
🎯 Designed for Kindergarten to 4th Grade, and adaptable for intervention groups or ESL classrooms.
👉 Get it here on TPT:
Living and Non-Living Things Activity Pack – Click to Download
🔍 Bonus Activity Idea: Classroom Object Hunt
Ask your students to bring small items or photos from home. During class, create a two-column chart and have them classify their items. This brings real-world connection into your science lesson — and it’s a student favorite!
Closing:
With the right tools and activities, your students will love exploring this essential science concept. This resource makes your prep easier while helping students build lasting understanding.
🗣️ Have you used a similar activity in your class? Share your ideas in the comments below!
📌 Note: This resource is also available in Spanish — perfect for dual-language or bilingual classrooms!
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