Lesson Plan for Junior Secondary 1 - Basic Science and Technology - Living And Non-living Things I

**Lesson Plan: Basic Science and Technology** **Grade Level:** Junior Secondary 1 **Topic:** Living and Non-Living Things --- **Objective:** - Students will be able to differentiate between living and non-living things. - Students will understand the characteristics that define living organisms. - Students will demonstrate their understanding by providing examples and justifications. --- **Duration:** 60 minutes --- **Materials Needed:** - Chart paper - Markers - Pictures of various living and non-living things (plants, animals, rocks, water, etc.) - Worksheets - Projector or computer with internet access (optional) --- **Lesson Structure:** 1. **Introduction (10 minutes):** - Begin the lesson by asking students to name a few things they see around them. - Write down their responses on the board. - Briefly discuss whether these things are living or non-living. - Introduce the topic: Living and Non-Living Things. 2. **Instruction (15 minutes):** - Explain the characteristics of living things: - Growth - Reproduction - Movement - Respiration - Nutrition - Excretion - Sensitivity to the environment - Provide examples for each characteristic. - Highlight that non-living things do not possess these characteristics. - Use visuals (pictures or a PowerPoint presentation) to reinforce these points. 3. **Activity (20 minutes):** - Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with chart paper and markers. - Hand out a mixed set of pictures of living and non-living things to each group. - Instruct each group to create two columns on their chart paper: one for Living Things and one for Non-Living Things. - Have the students discuss within their groups and place each picture in the appropriate column, justifying their choices. - Once completed, each group will present their chart to the class, explaining their rationale. 4. **Discussion (10 minutes):** - Facilitate a class discussion on the group presentations. - Ask probing questions to ensure understanding, such as: - Why did you classify this item as living? - Can you think of an example of a living thing that doesn't move much, like a plant? - Address any misconceptions and clarify any doubts. 5. **Assessment (5 minutes):** - Hand out a worksheet with a list of items. - Ask students to classify each item as living or non-living and provide one characteristic that justifies their classification. - Collect the worksheets for evaluation. 6. **Conclusion (5 minutes):** - Recap the main points of the lesson. - Emphasize the importance of understanding the characteristics of living things. - Encourage students to observe and think about the living and non-living things around them in their everyday lives. --- **Homework:** - Assign students to write a short paragraph on a living thing they find in their neighborhood, describing its characteristics that make it a living organism. - Encourage them to bring in a photo or draw a picture to accompany their paragraph. --- **Additional Notes:** - Adjust the pace of the lesson based on students' understanding and engagement. - Utilize technology if available, such as showing educational videos on living and non-living things. - Ensure to accommodate different learning styles by incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities.