Comparing Living and Nonliving Things

Comparing Living and Nonliving Things

What students learn

Students learn to compare living things and nonliving things by looking for simple clues. Start with Compare Living and Nonliving: Start the Sort so the child hears the question first.

Why it matters

This lesson helps children notice what makes a thing alive and what makes it not alive. Compare Living and Nonliving: Use the Clues gives a simple way to practice with familiar examples.

Learn the idea

Living things grow and need care. Nonliving things do not. Compare Living and Nonliving: Review the Difference helps students say the difference out loud at the end.

Try it

Ask the child to sort three things into two groups: living and nonliving. Then have them explain one clue they used.

Parent guide

Use things the child already knows, like a flower, a dog, a rock, and a chair. If they mix up the groups, point back to growth and needs.