Living and Non-Living Things Lesson note

Detailed Lesson Note

Subject: Basic Science
Class: JSS 1 (Grade 7)

Week four
Topic: Living and Non-Living Things
Sub-Topic: Non-Living Things
Duration: 40 minutes
Average Age: 11–12 years
Sex: Mixed
Date: (To be inserted by teacher)
Teacher: (To be inserted by teacher)
Instructional Materials: Pictures/charts of living and non-living things, classroom objects (stone, book, ruler), water in a bottle, whiteboard, marker.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Identify examples of non-living things correctly. (Knowledge – Lower domain)
2. Describe at least two properties of non-living things with examples. (Comprehension/Application – Middle domain)
3. Analyze and explain at least two uses of non-living things in daily life. (Analysis – Higher domain)
4. Evaluate the importance of non-living things to living organisms and the environment. (Evaluation – Higher domain)

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Lesson Development (40 minutes)

Introduction (5 mins)

• Teacher greets the students and introduces a short activity.
• Displays classroom objects like a stone, book, pen, and asks:
• “Are these living things?”
• “Can they breathe, eat, or reproduce?”
• Leads discussion to the fact that these are non-living things.
• Writes the topic on the board: Living and Non-Living Things (Focus: Non-Living Things).

Learners’ Activities: Students observe the objects and respond to the teacher’s questions.

Evaluation Question: What is today’s topic?

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Step 1: Examples of Non-Living Things (6 mins)

• Teacher explains that non-living things are things that do not have life.
• Gives examples: stone, sand, water, chair, book, chalk, air, houses, etc.
• Uses pictures and classroom materials to show real examples.

Learners’ Activities:

• Students mention other non-living things around them (e.g., desk, board, shoes).

Evaluation Question: Mention three examples of non-living things.

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Step 2: Properties of Non-Living Things (8 mins)

• Teacher explains that non-living things:
1. Do not breathe.
2. Do not feed.
3. Do not grow.
4. Do not reproduce.
5. Do not move by themselves (unless moved by man, animals, or forces like wind).
• Demonstrates using a stone (non-living) vs. a fish (living).

Learners’ Activities:

• Students compare a living thing (plant or fish) with a non-living thing (stone, book).

Evaluation Question: State two properties of non-living things.

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Step 3: Uses of Non-Living Things (10 mins)

• Teacher explains how non-living things are useful:
• Stone – building houses, grinding.
• Water – drinking, washing, cooking.
• Air – breathing and burning.
• Books – for learning.
• Chairs/tables – for sitting and writing.
• Teacher relates the uses to students’ daily life.

Learners’ Activities:

• Students give uses of chalk, desk, ruler, and shoes.

Evaluation Question: Mention two uses of non-living things.

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Step 4: Importance of Non-Living Things (8 mins)

• Teacher explains that non-living things are important because they support life.
• Soil – supports plant growth.
• Water – sustains plants, animals, and humans.
• Air – used for breathing by humans and animals, and for photosynthesis in plants.
• Houses/buildings – provide shelter.
• Draws simple diagrams to show water cycle or air support for life.

Learners’ Activities:

• Students discuss in small groups the importance of water, soil, and air.
• Share their answers with the class.

Evaluation Question: Explain one importance of non-living things.

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Conclusion (3 mins)

• Teacher summarizes the lesson by revising:
1. Examples of non-living things.
2. Properties of non-living things.
3. Uses of non-living things.
4. Importance of non-living things.
• Emphasizes that non-living things are very useful and necessary for survival.

Learners’ Activities:

• Students answer quick oral revision questions.

Evaluation Question: What are the four main things we learned today?

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Evaluation Questions (Whole Class)

1. Give three examples of non-living things.
2. State two properties of non-living things.
3. Mention two uses of non-living things.
4. Explain one importance of non-living things.

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Assignment

1. List five non-living things in your environment and write one use of each.
2. Explain why non-living things are important to both plants and animals.