Content Standard: A. Classifying Life Forms:
Students will understand that there are similarities within the diversity of all living things.
Common Assessment(s):

Performance Indicators Students will be able to:	Essential Elements (Specific grade level learning objectives)			Suggested Performance Activities	Suggested Classroom Assessments	Vocabulary * Indicates a word the teacher uses to help students start to understand
1. Identify the differences between living and non-living things.	Classify living and non-living things			Using mealworms, lobsters and plants the students will identify the characteristics of living things and nonliving things using the method of observation. They will observe and record the five characteristics unique to living things. 1) All living things collect energy and use it. 2) All living things respond or react to their surrounding environment. 3) All living things grow and develop. 4) All living things are able to reproduce 5) All living things give off wastes. Students will study these characteristics of living things as they apply to an organism. Resources-Grade 2 Science, McGraw-Hill: Water and Plants Chapters 1, 2; Rocky Homes Chapters 9, 10	The students will be able to identify living and nonliving things by oral or written demonstration: (clues) 1. What the organism needs to live. (ex. What does it eat?) 2. What it looks like 3. Its behavior   OR   The student will be able to explain in writing and/or illustrations the traits as they apply to the living organism studied	Appearance Behavior Categorize Characteristics Classification Classify Collect Compare Develop *Development Diagram Differences *Document Energy Environment Estimate Features General *Generalize Habitat *Hypotheses Illustrations Living/Non-living Method Note Notice *Noting Observe/Observation Pattern Pictorially React Real Reality Record *Represent Reproduce Respond Sort Sorting *Speculation Findings Traits Unique Waste
2. Describe characteristics of different living things.	Tell the features of a living organism			Students will study a living organism noting its characteristics. Resources-Grade 2 Science, McGraw-Hill: Water and Plants Chapters 1, 2; Rocky Homes Chapters 9, 10	Students will list the characteristics of an organism.
3. Explain, draw, or otherwise demonstrate the life cycle of an organism.	Know what makes up a life cycle			Students will examine various cycles including one specific organism. They will observe and record the life cycle of the organisms. Resources-Grade 2 Science, McGraw-Hill: Water and Plants Chapters 1, 2; Rocky Homes Chapters 9, 10	Students will be able to pictorially represent a life cycle.
4. Design and describe a classification system for objects.	Sorting items by observable characteristic			Students will investigate and observe various objects and systems looking for patterns. Students will study sorting. They will learn about diagrams.	Students will create a diagram of a classification system for a group of objects. They will be able to apply this knowledge to different objects.