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Home » Montessori » Curriculum » Life Science » Living Non-Living Lesson: Montessori Zoology

Living Non-Living Lesson: Montessori Zoology

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure .

One of the foundations of Montessori zoology is the Living/Non-Living exercise. The Montessori zoology lesson is given early on in the school year, first given in a large group, then individual and then in a small group. This work in some form is placed on the shelf all year for the most part. By the way I have a FREE Living/Non-Living Printable you should check out!

montessori zoology

To introduce the work say, “I have something to show you today. We’re going to talk about living and non-living.” Then using your class pet or class plant as a prop, and ask your class:

Does our plant…

…eat?

…move?

…have more plants?

…breath?

…grow?

living non-living activity

Once you receive affirmative answers, say: “Our plant is living.” Then go through a numbers of objects in a basket, asking the same questions. My MEIPN instructor suggest three passages of objects over time: large, medium and small. Then to refresh the objects to give life to the work over the year. Once the class has “mastered” the objects, then introduce nomenclature cards.

living non-living

I used a mix of 8 objects and created zoology labels (free for your downloading pleasure) backing them on Red the Montessori color code for Zoology. I placed the objects, the labels and two pieces of felt in a small basket. Then I invited my son over to the work, asking him to carry his work rug with him over to me.

living non living bean

I actually introduced this lesson when we were out on a nature walk earlier in the day. I was able to stop for a moment at a patch of newly “sprouted” grass and a few small rocks. I asked him the questions above and we talked more about living and non-living as we walked along the trail. During the actual lesson, we took a closer look at our kidney bean sprout. We “planted” this bean in a mason jar as an observational experiment. Nothing is easier to grab a child’s attention. I highly recommend the exercise. In fact, I ordered a Root-Vue Farm because my boys were so enthralled in the process.

living non living montessori

This first round was fairly simple for my son. So, next time around, I need to mix in a couple of tough ones. He actually questioned the car because “it gets fuel, mama, and it moves.” Yup, it does. I am excited to love onto Plant/Animal and Vertebrates/Invertebrates soon.

Download your FREE Living Non-Living Printable!

zoology activities non-living living sort

I hope you enjoyed this post.  Please leave a comment, I love hearing from you!

Warmly,
Marnie

Check out my Life Sciences Pack!


Tagged With: Preschool

About Marnie Craycroft

Marnie hails from Maine where she spent summers buried in sand and winters buried in snow. She is the daughter of a nearly four decade veteran of the public school systems. Teaching has always been a part of her life. She founded Carrots Are Orange in 2010.

Carrots Are Orange is a Montessori learning and living website for parents and teachers.

Marnie graduated from Wesleyan University in 1999 with a BA in Economics. She spent nearly a decade working in investment management. In 2006, she earned her MA in business from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business.

Marnie moved to the west coast in 1999 and currently lives in Boulder with her husband and three sons. She is Montessori trained. Her work has been featured on Apartment Therapy, Buzzfeed, PBS Kids, BabyCenter, the Melissa & Doug blog, Huffington Post, and WhattoExpect.com. Besides writing, passions include running (usually after her three sons), photography, and outdoor adventures.

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