Foundation Living Things and Animal Features Activities

Australian Curriculum Alignment

What Students Will Learn

In this topic, children learn that plants and animals have external features that can be observed. They identify features such as roots, leaves, flowers, eyes, legs, wings, fins, feathers, fur and scales.

Students also learn that humans are animals and that living things can be grouped in different ways. For example, animals may be grouped by their number of legs, body covering, movement or habitat.

• Identify visible parts of plants and animals.
• Recognise humans as animals.
• Use simple science vocabulary to describe features.
• Observe living things closely using senses and tools.
• Sort plants and animals into groups.
• Explain the rule used to create a group.

Important Vocabulary

Teaching Activities

1. Introduce Living and Non-Living Things

Show children familiar classroom and outdoor objects, such as a plant, toy car, rock, bird picture and wooden block. Ask:

• Which things are living?
• Which things are not living?
• What did you notice?

Keep the discussion simple. The main purpose is to help children observe before they classify.

2. Observe Plant Parts

Provide a real plant, flower, fruit or vegetable. Ask students to find and name visible parts such as:

• roots
• stem
• leaves
• flowers
• fruit
• seeds

Children can draw the plant and add simple labels. A teacher or parent may write the child's spoken words.

3. Explore Fruits and Vegetables as Plant Parts

Display familiar foods such as broccoli, carrot, apple and lettuce. Discuss which part of a plant each food represents:

• Broccoli – flower
• Carrot – root
• Apple – fruit
• Lettuce – leaf

Ask children to sort pictures or real foods according to plant part.

4. Humans Are Animals Too

Ask students to observe themselves and identify external features such as eyes, ears, hair, arms, hands, legs and feet.

Compare a human with a dog, bird or fish. Ask:

• What features do both have?
• What is different?
• How do these features help each animal?

5. Observe Animals Closely

Use photographs, toy animals or safe outdoor observations. Encourage children to identify:

• eyes
• legs
• wings
• fins
• beaks
• tails
• fur
• feathers
• scales

A magnifying glass or digital photograph can help children notice smaller details.

6. Sort Animal Pictures

Give children pictures or models of familiar animals. Ask them to sort the animals using one observable feature.

Possible sorting rules include:

• has wings or does not have wings
• has fur, feathers or scales
• has two legs, four legs or no legs
• moves by walking, flying, swimming or sliding

Ask each child to explain the rule used for their groups. Accept different sensible grouping strategies.

7. Create a Class Feature Chart

Create a simple class table showing animals and their external features.

Questions to Ask Students

• What features can you see?
• How are these two animals the same?
• How are they different?
• Which feature helps this animal move?
• Which animals have the same body covering?
• How could we sort these animals?
• Can an animal belong to more than one group?
• What rule did you use for your group?

Simple Assessment Ideas

Children can demonstrate their understanding by completing one or more of the following tasks:

• Draw a plant and label two or more external features.
• Name three external features of a familiar animal.
• Sort four animal pictures using an observable feature.
• Explain why two animals belong in the same group.
• Describe one similarity and one difference between a human and another animal.
• Use a magnifying glass to observe and draw a leaf.

Supporting Different Learners

Additional support

• Use real objects, photographs and toy animals.
• Provide picture vocabulary cards.
• Allow students to point, circle, match or speak.
• Let an adult record the child's spoken response.
• Begin with only two sorting groups.

Extension

• Ask students to sort the same animals in two ways.
• Ask how a particular feature helps an animal survive or move.
• Compare animals from different habitats.
• Create a labelled model of a plant or animal.

Learning at Home

Families can reinforce this topic by observing plants and animals at home, in the garden or during a walk.

Children could:

• photograph or draw a plant
• identify the visible parts of a pet
• sort toy animals into groups
• compare two leaves
• find animals with wings, legs, fur or feathers

Free AC9SFU01 Resources

Use the printable resources below to support teaching, classroom practice, revision and home learning.

Topic Summary

AC9SFU01 introduces children to biological science through familiar plants, animals and everyday observations. Students learn to notice visible features, use appropriate vocabulary, compare living things and explain how they can be grouped.

The most effective lessons use real objects, photographs, outdoor observations, discussion, drawing and hands-on sorting.