Characteristics of Living Things

Characteristics of Living Things

Essential Question

What are the characteristics of living things?

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Open Ended

How can you tell if something is a living or non-living thing? Explain!

Questions to Think About

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• What are some examples of living things?

• What are some examples of non-living things?

• How can you tell if something is a living or non-living thing?

• Is there a difference between living things and things that are alive?

• Is there a difference between non-living and dead things?

• Can a living thing ever become a non-living thing?

• Can a non-living thing ever become a living thing?

• If you were writing rules that explain how to tell whether something is living or not, what would they be? Start each rule with "All living things..."

Create a Characteristics of Living Things Flip book

Instructions to make your paper flipbook:

Get 2 sheets of white paper

Fold both stacked together in half the long “hotdog” way.

Leave about 1.5-2” margin from the fold and fold so there’s a line. Staple near the top of the fold you just made.

Cut 5 flaps up to the margin line

Living Things Flip book

● Title: 5 Characteristics of Living Things
● On the top flap: Write the rainbow labels, one characteristic on each flap

​5 Characteristics of Living Things

​Respond to the Environment

Grow and Develop

Reproduce

Use Energy

Made of Cells & Genetic Material

Living Things Flip book

• Second layer: Write a definition to explain the characteristic

• Third layer: Write an example of the characteristic

• Fourth layer: Make a drawing or two to explain the characteristic

​> Add to the second to fourth layers for each characteristic

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1. Watch the two videos on the following slides

2. Use the information presented in the videos to help you complete the second and third layers of your flip book

(We'll review together afterwards)

​Living Things Flip book

Video time!

Video 1

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Video 2

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Take the next five minutes to finish writing in your flip book.

We'll start reviewing when the time is up.

Video Review Time!

Check your flip books and more details.

Living Things Flip book

​Respond to the Environment

• Have you ever gone from a dark room out into the sunshine? You

  respond by squinting your eyes. The brightness of the sun is called a stimulus and your reaction to it is called a response.

• All livings things respond to changes in their environment or a stimulus.

• Other examples:

  • Shivering when cold

  • A plant growing towards sunlight

Living Things Flip book

Grow and Develop

• You may think of growth as an increase in size. You have increased in size since you were born.

• Growth also refers to an increase in mass and to an increase in a number of cells.

• Development means from the time that you were a tiny embryo, your body has been developing- growing more complex, and changing over time. You'll continue to develop, even for several more years after puberty!

Living Things Flip book

Reproduce

• The process of making more of the same kind of organism is called

  reproduction.

• Most organisms must reproduce with another organism, or a mate.

• There are a few organisms who can even reproduce without a mate!

• Because all living things eventually die, reproduction allows life to continue.

Living Things Flip book

Use Energy

• All living things take materials from their surroundings such as

  food, water, and gases.

• They use these materials to get energy. This

  energy is needed to carry out all of the life functions.

• Some organisms are even able to produce their own food!

Living Things Flip book

Made of Cells and Genetic Material

• A cell the smallest unit of a living thing.

• It is the simplest structure, sometimes called the building blocks of life.

• Cells can carry out all of the functions for an organism.

• ALL living things are made of at least one cell.

• Inside of cells, you will find the organism's DNA or genetic material. Some organisms have RNA instead of DNA!

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Additional Information

Take a look at these resources if you’d like more information
about the characteristics of living things.
◍ Section 2.1 in the CPO Life Science Textbook (pages 28-32)
◍ CK-12 Characteristics of Living Things
◍ Steamism Characterics of Living Things (this site breaks up the characteristics into 7 characteristics)

◍ Science Learning Hub (this site breaks up the characteristics into 7 characteristics with an earthworm as an example)

◍ Another teacher’s lesson presentation using the memory trick "ROGER"

Independent Time

Before the end of class today:

1. Add color to every flap (outlining, highlighting, etc.)

2. Add 1-2 sketches on the fourth flap for each characteristic

3. Earn a stamp on your calendar for completing your foldable! Read a book or do study hall with any leftover class time