Comparing Living and Nonliving Things

Comparing Living and Nonliving Things

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- compare living and non-living things 
  through the use of a Venn Diagram

- the Venn Diagram can be modified       
  depending on the age/ability of the children

 

Activity

- a brainstorming session is an effective 

  way to begin this activity 

- using chart paper, have the students 

  think of characteristics of living and non-living things

- older children may only need a couple 

   ideas and then they can independently complete their 
                                                   comparisons

                                                 - younger children can use two hula hoops to 
                                                   organize each point 

- teach how Venn Diagram organize (in 

  this case) two things are different in the 

  two separate circles and how they are 

  the same where the two circles overlap

Follow-Up

- use picture cues to go with each category 

  for pre-readers (this is great for small 

  groups)

- technology can be used to complete the 
  Venn Diagram (the app/program will need 
  to be accessible and understood)

More great comparison activities can be found at these links!

Urban and Rural Communities

Music Comparisons

Music Comparison

Music Comparisons

Music Comparisons

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- almost any kind of music that you or the 
  students choose can be compared

- compare types with or without lyrics  

Materials

- a variety of music 

- possibly the need for devices if music is on a tablet, 
  computer, speakers etc.

- enough room for movement if you intend to let the students respond by moving to the 
  music

- a variety of music (within two genres) and branch out from there
- examples - classical, country and western, rock, rap, jazz, blues, big band, traditional 
  children's music

Activity

- provide opportunities for the children to select music to sing/dance to and perform in 
  the classroom or at a school assembly- use technology as a tool to let them perform (older 
  children can produce and star in a musical video)
- younger children can record each other 

Extention 

- branch out and have them compose their own songs, perform, create a band with 

  a name etc.

- they can include musical instruments (manufactured or homemade) and produce their 

  own videos

- study Peter And The Wolf and compare the different instruments used

- there is an animated version that effectively tells a story highlighted with musical 

  instruments - an excellent resource

- related link 

More great comparison activities can be found at theses links!

Living and Nonliving Things
Urban and Rural Communities

Be creative! Check out Handmade Musical Instruments

Seasons

Signs Of Spring

Seasons

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- compare two seasons through the

  use of a Venn Diagram

- the Venn Diagram can be 

  modified depending on the age/ability of 

  the children

Activity

- a brainstorming session is an effective 

  way to begin this activity 

- using chart paper, have the students 

  think of characteristics for the two seasons being compared

- older children may only need a couple 

  ideas and then they can independently 

  complete their comparisons

- younger children can use two hula 

  hoops to organize each point 

- teach how Venn Diagram show how (in 

  this case) two things are different in the 

  two separate circles and how they are 

  the same where the two circles overlap

Follow-Up

- use picture cues to go with each season

  for pre-readers (this is great for small 

  groups)

- technology can be used to complete the Venn Diagram (the app/program will need to be 

  accessible and understood)

Symmetry

Symmetry

Symmetry

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- this art provides instant satisfaction
- paint is only applied to half of a paper
- once the paper is folded over, the wet paint
  spreads to the other half creating symmetry
- this activity demonstrates the concept of
  symmetry and allows the children to see the
  effect immediately
- the blending of paint is very appealing and 
  provides a burst of color to bulletin boards or
  when suspended from the ceiling
- each butterfly is unique

Materials
- white art paper or card stock
- watercolor paint - colors can be chosen by the students
- paintbrushes
- scissors
- chenille stems (optional for antennae)
- glue
- newsprint or some other material to protect the work surface

Construction
- begin by protecting the work surface with newsprint or plastic cloths
- distribute the art paper or card stock (rectangular) and the paint (colors they have chosen)
- have the children fold the paper in half vertically
- it is recommended that the paint be applied fairly thick (each color does not have to touch each
  other or provide complete coverage)
- once folded over, the paint spreads out, runs together and creates a mirror image on the other half
  of the paper
- once folded, gently pat the paper down so that the paint adheres to the blank half
- open up the paper to admire the colors and design
- talk about the symmetry and observe the mirror image that has been created
- emphasize that the part that is goes horizontally should be glued on higher than the middle (you can
  demonstrate this by having them stand up with their arms stretched out to each side. They will see
  that their arm are raised up higher than their waists or the middle part of their bodies)
- set aside to dry
- fold the paper again along the same fold line
- draw a butterfly wing on the side that is not painted, making sure that the middle part is connected
  to the fold
- cut along the line making sure that part of the fold line stays intact
- if desired, black chenille stems can be formed into antennae and taped to the back

Students will gain an appreciation and understanding of the butterfly at the following link.
Life Cycle Of The Butterfly

Patterns

Weaving Patterns

Weaving Patterns

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- using strips of paper/yarn/chenille stems
   to create a pattern

- vary the number of colours/shapes of 
  strips depending on the age/ability of the 
  children

Materials
- construction paper or card stock with cuts   made about an inch apart
- have a variety of "strips" available
- younger children will be drawn to 
  different colours to make their patterns
- older children may incorporate colour, 
  size, material etc. to create more 
  complex patterns.
  They could also make their own cuts in the paper.

Weaving
- teach the concept of weaving by using key
  words such as over and under
- for young children, over and under exercises would
  be beneficial 

Measurement

Measurement


Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade
-using standard and nonstandard units of 
 measurement

Materials
- standard units of measurement (rulers,
  yardsticks or metre sticks)
- nonstandard units of measurement (blocks, wooden craft sticks,



Measuring