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**Lesson Plan: Living Things and Non-Living Things**
**Subject:** Basic Science and Technology
**Grade Level:** Junior Secondary 1
**Duration:** 60 minutes
**Topic:** Living Things and Non-Living Things
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### Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Define and differentiate between living and non-living things.
2. Identify characteristics that distinguish living things from non-living things.
3. Provide examples of living and non-living things in their environment.
### Materials Needed:
- Chart paper and markers
- Pictures or real objects of different living and non-living things
- Worksheets for classifying living and non-living things
- Multimedia projector (optional for showing videos)
### Procedure:
#### Introduction (10 minutes)
1. **Greeting and Introduction:**
- Welcome the students and briefly introduce the topic.
- Begin with a simple question to engage students: “Can anyone tell me what a living thing is?”
2. **Short Video (Optional):**
- Show a short video clip about living and non-living things to grab their interest.
#### Direct Instruction (20 minutes)
1. **Definitions:**
- Explain the definitions:
- **Living Things:** Objects that possess life and exhibit characteristics such as growth, reproduction, movement, and respiration.
- **Non-Living Things:** Objects that do not have life and do not show characteristics of living organisms.
2. **Characteristics of Living Things:**
- Discuss characteristics using the acronym "MRS GREN" (Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition):
- Movement: Ability to move by themselves.
- Respiration: Process of breathing or gas exchange.
- Sensitivity: Ability to respond to environmental changes.
- Growth: Increase in size or number.
- Reproduction: Ability to produce offspring.
- Excretion: Removal of waste products.
- Nutrition: Intake of food and nutrients.
#### Guided Practice (15 minutes)
1. **Group Activity:**
- Divide students into small groups.
- Provide each group with pictures or real objects including a mix of living and non-living things.
- Ask them to classify these items into two categories: living and non-living, and list characteristics they used to classify each item.
- Groups present their findings to the class.
#### Independent Practice (10 minutes)
1. **Worksheet Activity:**
- Distribute worksheets with a variety of images.
- Have students individually classify each item as living or non-living and write down reasons for their classification based on the characteristics discussed.
#### Conclusion (5 minutes)
1. **Recap and Q&A:**
- Summarize the key points.
- Ask students to mention one living and one non-living thing they have learned about today.
- Allow time for any questions from students.
### Assessment:
- Observe and assess students during group activities and presentations.
- Review completed worksheets to ensure understanding.
### Homework:
- Ask students to list five living things and five non-living things they encounter at home. They should provide one characteristic for each item listed to support their classification.
### Extension Activity:
- As an extension, students can draw a poster illustrating the characteristics of living and non-living things or create a simple scrapbook with pictures and descriptions.
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**Notes:**
- Ensure to provide positive reinforcement and encourage participation from all students.
- Adapt activities according to the classroom environment and available resources.