Differentiate between living things according to observable characteristics, including appearance and behaviour.
CP, SI
| (a) |
Use a variety of sources of information and ideas (e.g., picture books including non-fiction texts, Elders, naturalists, videos, Internet sites, and personal observations) to learn about observable characteristics of living things. |
| (b) |
Make and record observations and measurements about the observable characteristics of plants and animals using written language, pictures, and charts. |
| (c) |
Group representations (e.g., photos, videos, drawings, and oral descriptions) of plants and animals according to various student-developed criteria. |
| (d) |
Engage in personal, scientific, and Indigenous ways of organizing understanding of living things. |
| (e) |
Describe characteristics common to humans (e.g., eyes, ears, hair, and numbers of limbs and teeth) and identify variations (e.g., eye colour, hair colour, skin colour, height, and weight) that make each human unique. |
| (f) |
Compare observable characteristics (e.g., leaf, root, stem, flower, fruit, and seed) of plants of various types and sizes that live in different habitats. |
| (g) |
Record information, using written language, pictures, and tables, about the appearance and behaviour of familiar animals, such as classroom or personal pets, at regular intervals over a specific time interval. |
| (h) |
Describe the appearance and behaviour (e.g., method of movement, social grouping, diet, body covering, habitat, and nocturnal vs. diurnal orientation) of familiar animals (e.g., bumblebee, worm, dog, cat, snake, owl, fish, ant, beaver, rabbit, and horse). |
| (i) |
Differentiate among animals according to their observable characteristics. |
| (j) |
Compare characteristics of plants and animals at different stages of their lives (e.g., compare an adult dog with a pup, compare a young tree with an older established tree, and compare a baby bird with a fully grown bird). |
| (k) |
Communicate knowledge (e.g., share a story, describe an experience, or draw a picture) about the observable characteristics of a favourite plant or animal. |
| (l) |
Respond positively to others' questions and ideas about the observable characteristics of living things. |
| (m) |
Recognize that some information about living things may not be realistic (e.g., stories such as The Three Little Pigs, and talking movie animals). |

A teacher's guide is available.
This video's controlled vocabulary, simple sentence structures, and chapter segments make it an ideal choice for emergent readers. Youngsters will be drawn to the cartoon-like animations and quirky story, which offers possibilities for sequencing, predicting, and character analysis. Thematically, this tale could be used for discussions about exotic pets, unusual friendships, families, and overcoming obstacles. From a science perspective, opportunities abound for the study of flies and other insects, particularly those considered pests. Buzz, who is outfitted with a butterfly net, hard hat, and insect jar, will introduce students to the naturalist's world.
Each two-page spread is illustrated with paper-sculpture art. One page is done in colour and the corresponding page is in white. Each illustration provides a clue to the next animal on the following page.
The book includes a legend that contains brief information about each animal in the book.
At the back of the book is additional information on the Canada goose, migrating and resident geese and a suggestion for a budding scientist.
Children will realize that we depend upon the people who work together to grow and to share food for our sustenance, while protecting and respecting the land and animals.
This book highlights the importance of looking ahead to and planning for what we leave our grandchildren and the generations to follow.
A study guide is available.
Teachers may consider inviting an Elder or traditional knowledge keeper into the classroom to tell the narratives.
- Pan-Canadian Science Place 1. Design Team
- Pan-Canadian Science Place 1. Design Team. Teacher's Guide
- Pan-Canadian Science Place 1. Earth Watch
- Pan-Canadian Science Place 1. Earth Watch. Teacher's Guide
- Pan-Canadian Science Place 1. It's Alive!
- Pan-Canadian Science Place 1. It's Alive! Teacher's Guide
- Pan-Canadian Science Place 1. What's It Like?
- Pan-Canadian Science Place 1. What's It Like? Teacher's Guide
A teacher's guide is available.
Included in the resource is a variety of formats to support resource-based learning. Instructional strategies are explained and differentiating instruction is included to assist teachers with the diversity within the classrooms. The "release of responsibility" model has students demonstrating and applying their knowledge in a variety of ways. A comprehensive approach is used to teach the cues and conventions and they are incorporated into the framework of the lesson plans. There are cross-curricular units that link to science and social studies.
The teacher's guide is detailed and comprehensive with formative and summative assessment tools. Teacher reflection is emphasized.
- Nelson Literacy 1. Cross-Curricular Kit. Energy in the Environment
- Nelson Literacy 1. Cross-Curricular Kit. Materials and Objects
- Nelson Literacy 1. Cross-Curricular Kit. My World
- Nelson Literacy 1. Cross-Curricular Kit. Relationships, Rules, and Responsibilities
- Nelson Literacy 1. Cross-Curricular Kit. Seasons
- Nelson Literacy 1. Cross-Curricular Kit. The Needs of Living Things
- Nelson Literacy 1. Guided Reading Kit. Energy in Our Lives
- Nelson Literacy 1. Guided Reading Kit. Materials and Objects
- Nelson Literacy 1. Guided Reading Kit. My World
- Nelson Literacy 1. Guided Reading Kit. Relationships, Rules, and Responsibilities
- Nelson Literacy 1. Guided Reading Kit. Seasons
- Nelson Literacy 1. Guided Reading Kit. The Needs of Living Things
- Nelson Literacy 1. Single Copy Set. Energy in Our Lives
- Nelson Literacy 1. Single Copy Set. Materials and Objects
- Nelson Literacy 1. Single Copy Set. My World
- Nelson Literacy 1. Single Copy Set. Relationships, Rules, and Responsibilities
- Nelson Literacy 1. Single Copy Set. Seasons
- Nelson Literacy 1. Single Copy Set. The Needs of Living Things
- A-Maze! Additional Fiction Little Book Pack
- Days and Seasons. Additional Non-Fiction Little Book Pack
- Exploring With Our Senses. Additional Non-Fiction Little Book Pack
- Groundhog Day. Additional Fiction Little Book Pack
- Living Things. Additional Non-Fiction Little Book Pack
- Moko's Adventures on Earth. Additional Fiction Little Book Pack
- Objects Everywhere. Additional Non-Fiction Little Book Pack
- On the Trail. Additional Fiction Little Book Pack
- Earth Science. Become an Expert. Day and Night During Chinese New Year
- Earth Science. Become an Expert. Day and Night at the Festival of Colors
- Earth Science. Become an Expert. Day and Night on Cinco de Mayo
- Earth Science. Explore on Your Own. Stories in the Stars
- Earth Science. Explore on Your Own. The Sun Shines
- Earth Science. Explore on Your Own. What Do You See in the Moon?
- Earth Science. Sun, Moon, and Stars. Assessment Handbook
- Earth Science. Sun, Moon, and Stars. Big Ideas Big Book
- Earth Science. Sun, Moon, and Stars. Big Ideas Student Book
- Earth Science. Sun, Moon, and Stars. Big Ideas and Vocabulary Cards
- Earth Science. Sun, Moon, and Stars. Classroom Set
- Earth Science. Sun, Moon, and Stars. Learning Masters
- Earth Science. Sun, Moon, and Stars. Science Inquiry Book
- Earth Science. Sun, Moon, and Stars. Science Inquiry Kit
- Earth Science. Sun, Moon, and Stars. Teacher's Edition
- Earth Science. Write about Sun, Moon, and Stars. A New Moon Rover Big Book
- Life Science. Become an Expert. A Wolf's World
- Life Science. Become an Expert. An Alligator's World
- Life Science. Become an Expert. An Elephant's World
- Life Science. Become an Expert. At Home in the Desert
- Life Science. Become an Expert. At Home in the Ocean
- Life Science. Become an Expert. At Home in the Prairie
- Life Science. Become an Expert. Life by a Bay
- Life Science. Become an Expert. Life in a Forest
- Life Science. Become an Expert. Life in a Garden
- Life Science. Become an Expert. Oak Trees and White-Tailed Deer
- Life Science. Become an Expert. Saguaro Cacti and Elf Owls
- Life Science. Become an Expert. Water Lilies and Bullfrogs
- Life Science. Explore on Your Own. A Butterfly's Favorite Plant
- Life Science. Explore on Your Own. Do Wolf Pups Need a Babysitter?
- Life Science. Explore on Your Own. Eat or Be Eaten
- Life Science. Explore on Your Own. The Baobab and the Elephant
- Life Science. Explore on Your Own. The Cactus Name Game
- Life Science. Explore on Your Own. The Giant Water Lily
- Life Science. Explore on Your Own. The Muddy Dragon
- Life Science. Explore on Your Own. Trees, Seeds, and Leaves
- Life Science. Explore on Your Own. Watch Out!
- Life Science. Explore on Your Own. What Are They Good For?
- Life Science. Explore on Your Own. Whose Babies Are These?
- Life Science. Explore on Your Own. Why Don't Crocodiles Make Good Pets?
- Life Science. Habitats. Assessment Handbook
- Life Science. Habitats. Big Ideas Big Book
- Life Science. Habitats. Big Ideas Student Book
- Life Science. Habitats. Big Ideas and Vocabulary Cards
- Life Science. Habitats. Classroom Set
- Life Science. Habitats. Science Inquiry Book
- Life Science. Habitats. Science Inquiry Kit
- Life Science. Habitats. Teacher's Edition
- Life Science. Life Cycles. Assessment Handbook
- Life Science. Life Cycles. Big Ideas Big Book
- Life Science. Life Cycles. Big Ideas Student Book
- Life Science. Life Cycles. Big Ideas and Vocabulary Cards
- Life Science. Life Cycles. Classroom Set
- Life Science. Life Cycles. Learning Masters
- Life Science. Life Cycles. Science Inquiry Book
- Life Science. Life Cycles. Science Inquiry Kit
- Life Science. Life Cycles. Teacher's Edition
- Life Science. Living Things. Assessment Handbook
- Life Science. Living Things. Big Ideas Big Book
- Life Science. Living Things. Big Ideas Student Book
- Life Science. Living Things. Big Ideas and Vocabulary Cards
- Life Science. Living Things. Classroom Set
- Life Science. Living Things. Learning Masters
- Life Science. Living Things. Science Inquiry Book
- Life Science. Living Things. Science Inquiry Kit
- Life Science. Living Things. Teacher's Edition
- Life Science. Plants and Animals. Assessment Handbook
- Life Science. Plants and Animals. Big Ideas Big Book
- Life Science. Plants and Animals. Big Ideas Student Book
- Life Science. Plants and Animals. Big Ideas and Vocabulary Cards
- Life Science. Plants and Animals. Classroom Set
- Life Science. Plants and Animals. Learning Masters
- Life Science. Plants and Animals. Science Inquiry Book
- Life Science. Plants and Animals. Science Inquiry Kit
- Life Science. Write About Habitats. A Coyote in the City Big Book
- Life Science. Write About Life Cycles. We Need More Trees! Big Book
- Life Science. Write About Living Things. Wild Animals in the City Big Book
- Life Science. Write About Plants and Animals. Plants We Eat Big Book
- Physical Science. Become an Expert. At the Market
- Physical Science. Become an Expert. In the Art Class
- Physical Science. Become an Expert. In the Kitchen
- Physical Science. Become an Expert. Tractors on the Farm Push and Pull
- Physical Science. Become an Expert. Trains Push and Pull
- Physical Science. Explore on Your Own. All Aboard!
- Physical Science. Explore on Your Own. Build It!
- Physical Science. Explore on Your Own. Cookie Time
- Physical Science. Explore on Your Own. Decorating a Vase
- Physical Science. Explore on Your Own. Fun Food
- Physical Science. Explore on Your Own. On the Farm
- Physical Science. Properties. Assessment Handbook
- Physical Science. Properties. Big Ideas Big Book
- Physical Science. Properties. Big Ideas Student Book
- Physical Science. Properties. Big Ideas and Vocabulary Cards
- Physical Science. Properties. Classroom Set
- Physical Science. Properties. Learning Masters
- Physical Science. Properties. Science Inquiry Book
- Physical Science. Properties. Science Inquiry Kit
- Physical Science. Properties. Teacher's Edition
- Physical Science. Pushes and Pulls. Assessment Handbook
- Physical Science. Pushes and Pulls. Big Ideas Big Book
- Physical Science. Pushes and Pulls. Big Ideas Student Book
- Physical Science. Pushes and Pulls. Big Ideas and Vocabulary Cards
- Physical Science. Pushes and Pulls. Classroom Set
- Physical Science. Pushes and Pulls. Learning Masters
- Physical Science. Pushes and Pulls. Science Inquiry Book
- Physical Science. Pushes and Pulls. Science Inquiry Kit
- Physical Science. Pushes and Pulls. Teacher's Edition
- Physical Science. Write About Properties. Making Juice Pops Big Book
- Physical Science. Write About Pushes and Pulls. Pushes and Pulls at Home Big Book
- Looking Closely Across the Desert
- Looking Closely Along the Shore
- Looking Closely Inside the Garden
The book won the 2005 Notable Children's Book Award for the Association for Library Service to Children.