Lesson 127: Comparing living things

Objective

I can compare different living things such as plants, animals, and people. I can say what they all need, and how they are alike and different in their body parts, how they move, and where they live.

Materials

• Pictures or toys of living things (for example: a child, a dog, a bird, a tree, a flower)
• Paper for a simple chart (same / different)
• Pencil and notebook or scrap paper

Mini-lesson — How are living things the same and different?

Guided Practice — Compare three living things

You will compare three living things, such as a child, a dog, and a tree. You will look for what is the same and what is different.

1. Choose your three: Pick a person (or child), an animal (like a dog or bird), and a plant (like a tree or flower).
2. Ask about needs: For each living thing, ask: "Does it need air? water? food or light?" Mark a check next to each need on your paper.
3. Ask about body parts: Circle legs, wings, leaves, roots, eyes, or other parts you can see for each one.
4. Ask about movement: Does it walk, fly, swim, or stay in one place? Write one word for each living thing.
5. Make a "same / different" chart: On your paper draw two columns and label them "same" and "different". Add short notes (for example: "all need water" in the same column, "dog walks, tree stays" in the different column).
6. Say your comparison: Use a full sentence, such as "The dog and the child both need food, but the tree makes its own food from light."
7. Use the tracing pad: Choose words like plant, animal, human, needs, water, or moves and trace them while you say the word.

Tracing Pad

Lines Primary lines Baseline only Grid Blank Trace (none) plant animal human needs water moves alive sunlight

Pen Clear

Tip: After you trace the words, write one sentence such as "All living things need water" or "The bird can fly but the tree cannot move".

Practice 1 — Same needs chart

Choose three living things (for example: cat, bird, tree) and make a small chart of their needs.

1. Draw three columns and write the names of the living things at the top.
2. Down the side, write air, water, food, space.
3. Put a check mark in each box that fits each living thing.
4. Write one sentence about something they all need.

Practice 2 — Different body parts and movement

Now compare how your chosen living things look and move.

1. Under each living thing, draw quick sketches of its main body parts (legs, wings, leaves, roots, etc.).
2. Write one word for how it moves: walk, fly, swim, or stays.
3. Write one sentence that tells a difference (for example: "The bird has wings, but the cat does not.").

Practice 3 — Where do they live?

Think about the places where living things live.

1. For each living thing, draw or name its home (house, nest, soil, water, etc.).
2. Circle any living things that can live near you right now.
3. Write one sentence about how a living thing's home helps it meet its needs.

Quick Check — Comparing living things

Answer each question about living things. Think about what they need, how they look, and how they move.

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)