Term 1 Week 3

Context: 

He waka eke noa (We are all in this together)

EXPLORE / TŪHURA learning intentions:

• We are EXPLORING a range of possible ideas through brainstorming in order to connect our existing ideas of living things and non-living things
• We are EXPLORING the characteristics of living things in order to interpret the criteria for life.
• We are EXPLORING the criteria of living things so that we can clearly classify what is living and what is non-living.

Learning Intentions (WALT):

1) Identify the concept of life, the characteristics of living organisms. (Biology, science understanding)

2) Use a tree diagram to group living things in meaningful categories and headings. (Nature of Science, using texts & symbols)

3) Gather existing and prior knowledge of living things and how they branch out.

Success Criteria: (Students can...)

-> make a list of living things and non-living things

-> describe a number of characteristics of living things

-> identify the basic characteristics of living things; i.e. how I can tell if something possesses life

-> group living things based on my current knowledge and imagination using a tree diagram

Activities & Mini Research Homework:

1. Write down the criteria for living things. Show your understanding by giving an example (or two) for each criterion.
2. Draw a tree diagram to show how living things can branch out in term of different groups and sub-groups; based on your current understanding or prior knowledge. Research is not necessary at this stage, and it doesn't matter if it is right or wrong; so your own imagination is absolutely fine.
3. Complete Living Thing Worksheet (attached PDF) which includes scientific article reading, word study, note-taking and note-making.
4. Education Perfect: Living & Non-Living Things