Living and Non-linving things and their habitats

Didactic Unit: Living and Non-Living Things and Their Habitats

Grade Level: 12 years old

Duration: 5-7 class periods

Objective: By the end of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Differentiate between living and non-living things.

2. Describe the basic characteristics of living organisms.

3. Understand the concept of habitats and how they support life.

4. Identify and categorize examples of living organisms and their habitats.

Contents:

1. Introduction to Living and Non-Living Things (1 class period)

• Definition of living and non-living things

Living Things:

Living things are all around us, and they have some special features that make them different from non-living things. Here's what makes something a living thing:

1. Grow: Living things can grow. Just like you get taller as you grow up, animals and plants also grow and change over time.

2. Breathe: Living things need to breathe. While animals breathe with their lungs, plants breathe through tiny holes in their leaves. Breathing means taking in air, which contains a special gas called oxygen.

3. Move: Most living things can move on their own. You can walk, run, and jump. Birds can fly, and fish can swim. Plants don't move like animals, but they grow toward the sunlight.

4. Reproduce: Living things can make more of their kind. People have babies, animals have offspring, and plants make seeds. This is how living things keep their species going.

5. Respond to the Environment: Living things can sense and react to what's happening around them. For example, you can feel the warmth of the sun and know it's time to go outside and play.

Non-Living Things:

Non-living things are different because they don't have these special features of living things. Here's what makes something non-living:

1. Don't Grow: Non-living things don't grow or change on their own. A rock will always be a rock, and a chair won't suddenly get bigger.

2. Don't Breathe: Non-living things don't need to breathe. Rocks, toys, and water don't take in air like living things do.

3. Don't Move on Their Own: Non-living things can't move by themselves. A book won't walk, and a bicycle won't pedal on its own.

4. Don't Reproduce: Non-living things can't make more of themselves. A computer won't have baby computers, and a car won't give birth to more cars.

5. Don't Respond: Non-living things can't sense or respond to their environment. They stay the same no matter what's happening around them.

So, living things are the creatures and plants that can grow, breathe, move, make more of their kind, and respond to the world. Non-living things are everything else around us that doesn't have these special abilities.

• Discussion on the characteristics of living organisms

• Overview of the unit and its objectives

2. Characteristics of Living Things (2 class periods)

• The seven characteristics of living organisms (e.g., growth, reproduction)

Living organisms exhibit several characteristics that distinguish them from non-living things. These characteristics are often summarized as seven key properties of life:

1. Cellular Structure: Living organisms are made up of one or more cells. Cells are the basic building blocks of life and are the smallest units capable of carrying out the functions of life. Some organisms, like bacteria, are unicellular (made of a single cell), while others, like humans, are multicellular (made of many cells).

2. Reproduction: Living organisms can reproduce, which means they can make more of their own kind. Reproduction ensures the continuity of a species. Reproduction can occur through various methods, such as sexual reproduction (involving two parents) or asexual reproduction (involving one parent).

3. Metabolism: Living organisms have metabolic processes that involve the conversion of energy and molecules to sustain life. Metabolism includes activities like obtaining and using energy (nutrition), getting rid of waste (excretion), and carrying out chemical reactions (enzymes and biochemical pathways).

4. Homeostasis: Living organisms maintain a stable internal environment, even in changing external conditions. This balance is called homeostasis. For example, your body temperature and blood sugar levels are regulated to stay within certain ranges.

5. Response to Stimuli: Living organisms can respond to their environment and react to changes or stimuli. This responsiveness allows them to adapt to their surroundings. For example, plants can grow toward the sunlight, and animals can react to danger.

6. Growth and Development: Living organisms grow and develop over time. Growth involves an increase in size or number of cells, while development refers to changes in an organism's structure and function as it matures.

7. Evolution: Living organisms can change over long periods of time through a process called evolution. Evolution involves the passing on of traits from one generation to the next, which can result in adaptations to the environment and the development of new species.

These seven characteristics collectively define living organisms and distinguish them from non-living things. While individual species may exhibit variations and unique features, these properties are fundamental to all forms of life on Earth.

• Interactive activity: Observing and categorizing objects as living or non-living

• 
  

3. Habitats and Their Importance (2 class periods)

• Definition of a habitat

A habitat is a specific place or environment where a particular species or group of organisms naturally lives, grows, and finds the conditions necessary for its survival. Habitats provide the food, water, shelter, and other resources that organisms need to thrive. Habitats can vary widely in size, from small microhabitats like a rotting log to vast ecosystems like a tropical rainforest. 

• Exploration of various habitats (e.g., forests, oceans, deserts)  (investigate on the net)

• Discussion on how habitats provide the necessary resources for life  (interactive activity)

• Hands-on activity: Creating a habitat diorama  (ARTS)

• 
  

4. Living Organisms and Their Habitats (1 class period)

• Examples of different living organisms and their specific habitats

• Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus):

  1. Habitat: Arctic Tundra and Sea Ice

  2. Polar bears are perfectly adapted to their frigid habitat in the Arctic. They primarily live on sea ice, where they hunt seals. They are strong swimmers and can cover long distances in the icy waters.

• Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas):

  1. Habitat: Tropical Rainforests

  2. These vibrant frogs are found in the lush rainforests of Central America. They spend most of their lives in trees near freshwater ponds and streams, using their bright colors to blend in with the foliage.

• Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii):

  1. Habitat: Desert

  2. Desert tortoises are well adapted to the arid deserts of North America. They live in burrows to escape extreme temperatures and rely on succulent plants for food and water.

• Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris):

  1. Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Forests

  2. Bengal tigers are native to the dense forests and grasslands of India and Bangladesh. They are top predators in their habitat and are known for their striking orange coats with dark stripes.

• Killer Whale (Orcinus orca):

  1. Habitat: Oceans, Particularly Cold Waters

  2. Killer whales, also known as orcas, are found in oceans around the world. They are highly adaptable and can be seen in both open ocean and coastal environments, with some populations preferring colder waters.

• Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus):

  1. Habitat: Near Water Bodies, Including Lakes and Coasts

  2. Bald eagles are iconic birds of prey in North America. They prefer habitats near water bodies where they can hunt fish. Their nests are often built in tall trees near the water's edge.

They must investigate and obtain information of other animals.

• Adaptations of organisms to their habitats

• Group project: Research and presentation on a specific habitat and its inhabitants

Activities:

1. Living and Non-Living Sorting Activity (1 class period): Provide students with a collection of objects, pictures, or cards, and have them sort these items into categories of living and non-living things. Discuss the criteria they used for classification.

2. Seven Characteristics of Living Things (2 class periods): Create interactive stations for each of the seven characteristics (e.g., a growth station with plant growth, a reproduction station with models of animal life cycles). Rotate students through the stations.

3. Habitat Diorama (2 class periods): Assign students to create dioramas representing different habitats. They should include the living organisms found in their chosen habitat and label adaptations that help them survive there.

4. Habitat Research and Presentation (1 class period): Divide students into small groups and assign each group a specific habitat to research. They should prepare a short presentation to share with the class, including information about the habitat and its inhabitants.

5. Community Conservation Proposal (1 class period): Encourage students to brainstorm ideas for conserving or improving habitats in their local community. Groups can present their proposals and discuss the potential impact of their ideas.

Assessment:

• Evaluation of the living and non-living sorting activity

• Assessment of participation in the habitat diorama and research presentation

• Review of community conservation proposals and group discussions

Resources:

• Objects or images for sorting activity

• Materials for habitat diorama construction

• Research materials on different habitats

• Presentation materials for community conservation proposals

Conclusion: By the end of this didactic unit, students should have a solid understanding of the distinctions between living and non-living things, the characteristics of living organisms, and the concept of habitats. They will have engaged in hands-on activities, research, and discussions to explore the diversity of life and the importance of habitat conservation, preparing them to appreciate and protect the natural world around them.