CU 5.01Plant or Animal
The child sorts living things into plants and animals.
Age 3½–5Work 1 of 7 in Zoology
Presentation
- 1
Recall the living and non-living sort: 'All of these are living. Now we will sort living things into two groups.'
- 2
Point to the class plant: 'This is a plant. It stays in one place. It uses light to make its food.'
- 3
Point to the class fish: 'This is an animal. It moves by itself and eats food.'
- 4
Place the header cards.
- 5
Sort a few pictures, saying the reason aloud.
- 6
Invite the child to sort the rest.
- 7
Check with the control chart.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Sort living things seen on a nature walk
- Include harder pictures such as insects, sea stars, and coral
- Draw plants and animals for a class book
Control of error
A control chart shows every picture in its correct group.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Sorts clear examples correctly
- Gives a reason for each choice
- Correctly sorts insects and worms as animals
Guide note
Fungi are neither plants nor animals; leave them out of this sort. If a child asks, name them as their own group.