Living things teaching resources

'Living things' is a fundamental concept in science education, introducing students to the study of organisms that exhibit the characteristics of life. This includes animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, each with unique structures and behaviours that distinguish them from non-living things. Understanding living things helps students grasp essential biological processes such as growth, reproduction, respiration, response to stimuli, and adaptation to environments.

In the Australian Curriculum, the study of living things spans across year levels, beginning in early childhood with the identification and classification of living and non-living objects, and progressing to more complex topics such as life cycles, food chains, ecosystems, and the interdependence of organisms. Teachers use Living things resources to facilitate hands-on investigations, discussions, and observations. Activities might include exploring local habitats, conducting simple experiments, or using multimedia tools to observe plant growth or animal behaviours.

Resources in this collection can support cross-curricular links, such as integrating literacy skills through report writing or creative storytelling, and mathematics through data collection and graphing. They are beneficial for fostering curiosity about the natural world, encouraging respect for living organisms, and developing scientific inquiry skills. By engaging with 'living things', students build foundational knowledge for later studies in biology, environmental science, and health education.