Everything has parts

This is a series of lesson plans to teach that things are made up of parts. This particular lesson plan deals with non-living things and the parts that go together to create them. Students need to understand the difference between living and non-living before the beginning of this lesson. The resource is broken into whole class and group work sections. There are even approximate needed times for each section. The materials are items that most classrooms would have on hand or in the school. The extension activities listed are easily adapted for enrichment or reteaching if needed.

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Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives:

Physical Science. Students will gain an understanding of Physical Science through the study of the forces of motion and the properties of materials.

Describe parts of non‐living things.
Describe how parts are used to build things and how things can be taken apart.
Explain why things may not work the same if some of the parts are missing.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level:

Understanding

Extension suggestions:

Extensions:

Advanced learners can identify the parts that make up specific items in a classroom and draw and label the parts on paper. They would choose one classroom object and then describe its parts, and exactly what parts are needed. For example, a book has pages, letters, words, pictures, and a cover.
For special accommodations, teach using the picture cards, review vocabulary and have parent helpers review the cards and the house. The picture cards should be helpful for English Language Learners.

Interdisciplinary opportunities:

Family Connections:

Assignments to Do With Parents:

Students will discuss with their parents the things that make up their bedroom. What if they didn’t have a bed, a dresser, or a closet? How would their room be different?
Students can discuss the parts of their bike. What if it didn’t have wheels, pedals, or a handlebar?
Students could take a blank 8_”x11” piece of white paper home and draw their kitchen. Have students label the parts of their kitchen. What if there wasn’t a sink, a fridge, or an oven? Students would explain what would happen in their kitchen if those items were missing. Where would they put food, cook food, wash dishes, etc.?

Helpful Hints

Materials:

Different sets of building materials for each table (Jenga, blocks, Legos, etc.)
Blackline of the house with individual parts cut into pieces (enlarged to an 11"x17" size) (pdf)
Picture cards (pdf) from the attached blacklines, copied on cardstock and cut into cards
Several pictures of non-living things (enough for each student to have one or two)
Equipment Needed: Something to hold the house and its parts (blackboard, easel, etc.): magnets or tape

References

Contributors:

Jennifer Hassell

Originator:

Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation