Philly Zoo to YOU
  • Living Things
  • Life Cycles
  • Habitats
  • Adaptations
  • Endangered Species
  • Animal Care
  • Additional Resources
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Living Things

There are many ways in which organisms (living things) can be classified and grouped together. This process involves grouping organisms together based on shared characteristics. Some of these characteristics might include habitat, presence of a backbone, food source, diet, how they move, etc. By sorting through similarities and differences of organisms, we gain a better understanding of them and their needs, and are therefore able to better work toward protecting a preserving all living things!

Teacher Guide

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Pre-Class Activities

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What is that?
This activity aims to spark curiosity about living things and how animals are classified.
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It's Alive!
This activity aims to encourage students to consider what a living thing is.
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Living Image
This activity aims to identify what living and non-living things can be found in the environment.
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Split the Difference
This activity aims to continue differentiating and categorizing living things.

Lesson

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Living Things
A inquiry-based presentation to assist in formal instruction of this topic. Slides include a script that can be used to help guide student thinking and to support student understanding.

A recording of this presentation can also be found here.

Post-Class Activities

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One of a Kind
This activity aims to address our own differences and how they should be valued and celebrated.
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Trading Places
This activity aims to consider how life might be different as a different type of animal.
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Meet the Neighbors
This activity aims to introduce local wildlife and promote discovery through identification.
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Creature Coverings
This activity aims to assess student understanding of how animals are classified.
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​The Philadelphia Zoo benefits from the support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
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  • Living Things
  • Life Cycles
  • Habitats
  • Adaptations
  • Endangered Species
  • Animal Care
  • Additional Resources