If your preschooler or class hasn’t been introduced to it yet, check out this early science activity in Montessori education – living and non-living. It can be very easy to prepare and is perfect for home or classroom.
After learning about living and non-living, preschoolers study plants and animals and the classifications of plants and animals. There are many helpful resources online to introduce your preschooler or class to the concepts of living and non-living.
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Montessori Living and Non-Living Resources
Montessori Compass has a free online scope and sequence of science at the preschool level as well as the elementary level zoology and botany curriculum.
TJ Homeschooling has free Living vs. Non-Living Characteristics Poster Activity and Living/Nonliving Sorting Activity.
Homemade Montessori has free printable living and non-living and 5-kingdom cards.
Living and Nonliving Packet from Homeschool Den
Homeschool Den has a free living and nonliving packet.
Living & Non-Living from Montessori Print Shop
Montessori Print Shop has Living and Non-Living Things available for purchase with photo cards, an outline showing the characteristics of living and non-living things, and a control chart.
Antarctica Living and Non-Living Sorting Cards (from 7 Continents A-Z by Trillium Montessori)
Trillium Montessori has living and non-living sorting cards that are photos of plants, animals, and natural and manmade landmarks from each continent in the continents A-Z Printables (available for purchase). I have reviews of the continent printables showing Montessori-Inspired Activities for South America (and Other Continents) and Montessori-Inspired Activities for Europe (and Other Continents).
Classification of Living and Non-Living (Printed) from Alison’s Montessori
Alison’s Montessori has Classification of Living and Non-Living Cards (available for purchase) that are already printed and are available unlaminated, laminated, or laminated and cut.
Every Star Is Different has a 157-page Intro to Biology Printable Pack Bundle that starts with a Nonliving vs. Living Sort.
Advanced Living and Non-Living Set from Montessori for Everyone
Montessori for Everyone has Living and Non-Living Matching Cards and Advanced Living & Non-Living Set (for 3rd grade and up) available for purchase.
Living and Non-Living Classification from In-Print for Children at Montessori Services
Montessori Services has a number of living and non-living products, including laminated living and non-living classification cards.
You’ll find a variety of Montessori living and non-living printables on Teachers Pay Teachers (most are paid products, although a couple are free).
You’ll find a variety of Montessori living and non-living materials on Etsy.
Montessori Living and Non-Living Activities
Living vs Non-Living Activities
- Living vs non-living in nature activity from Every Star Is Different (Go to Free Printables tab at the top of the Every Star Is Different blog, then to Thematic Activities, then to Family Activities and Free Printables, and then to The World Around Me: My Family.)
- Counting Coconuts made a felt pouch for living and non-living cards.
- Carrots Are Orange has a living vs. non-living lesson with free printable (subscriber freebie).
Once Living Activities and Living vs Non-Living Extension
- Kingdom of the Pink Princesses uses a series of trays to introduce living and non-living (including the four characteristics of living things) and once living. The living/non-living/once-living presentations are from the botany album by Karen Tyler of KHT Montessori.
- Gift of Curiosity shows their introduction to living and non-living, introduction to once living (photo), and living/non-living/once living cards that are available for purchase.
- Dirigo Montessori School has an activity sorting living and non-living objects and an extension activity (photo).
My Montessori Journey shares their classroom living and non-living work and free living vs. non-living sorting page.
Teacher Mom Plus 3 shows their living and non-living activities.
My Journey as a Teacher shares a variety of living and non-living activities in the Montessori classroom.
The McGuffey Montessori Primary Blog tells about their kindergarten presentations of living and non-living things.
It’s easy to put together hands-on living and non-living activities. And it’s a great start to helping your child understand science. 🙂
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You always make finding helpful resources a breeze. Thank you!
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Martianne! I love doing online research and sharing what I find! 🙂
Your blog postings are always resourceful ones. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks so much! I probably have way too much fun with it! 🙂
Thanks for sharing. This is so much easier when it’s all in one place! Thanks again!
Thanks for your kind comment, Elena! I’m so glad it’s helpful for you! 🙂
Huh,it never ceases to amaze me on just how much information you put out there. It’s really incredible! I wish there was a site like your when my own kids were in montessori school!
Thanks so much, Sheila … I can’t believe how much difference the Internet makes! It must be extremely difficult to balance computer time and family time with young children at home. I’m lucky that I have the time now as an empty nester to do the online research and sharing I love to do! 🙂